Drive Time
49m
Distance
42.3 mi
68 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Jeevan Mahat
If you are looking to travel between Excelsior Springs and Lee's Summit, you are in for a short, straightforward trip across the Missouri heartland. Spanning 42.3 miles, this drive typically takes about 49 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly commute within the Midwest. While it is a simple connection between two regional hubs, knowing the layout of the local roads will help you navigate the transition smoothly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.2 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a zero percent highway share. You will spend the duration navigating winding paths, starting on Saint Louis Avenue before transitioning onto MO 291 South and eventually Southeast 3rd Street. Because the longest stretch of road is effectively zero miles on Saint Louis Avenue, you should remain alert for frequent turns throughout the entire 49-minute trip. The personality of this drive is strictly local, offering a hands-on experience behind the wheel that requires your full attention compared to a monotonous highway trek.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is easy. At 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MO 291 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southeast 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southwest 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Excelsior Springs, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Start on South Thompson Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Saint Louis Avenue
Continue on Saint Louis Avenue
Continue straight
Turn left
Turn right
Turn left onto MO 291 South: Independence
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a quick 42.3-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the estimated $6 cost. Because you will be navigating local streets rather than open highways, try to avoid peak traffic hours to keep your travel time closer to the 49-minute estimate. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active at all times, as the turn-heavy nature of the route through local streets makes it easy to miss a turn if you aren't paying close attention.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42.3 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.2 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Excelsior Springs, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Excelsior Springs, MO
This is one driving day of about 42.3 miles and 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.2 mi from Excelsior Springs, MO · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 42.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Lee's Summit, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lee's Summit, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.42 one way
$12.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.08 | $14.17 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.99 | $15.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.40 | $18.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.44 | $2.03 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.92 | $2.71 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Excelsior Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Kansas City, MO
21 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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