Origin
Lake Ozark, MO
Evening in Lake Ozark on Wednesday
Local time
5:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Ozark, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
134.1 mi
216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Ozark, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 134.1-mile drive from Lake Ozark, MO, to Lee's Summit, MO, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under 3 hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for a day trip, allowing you to focus on your destination rather than a long journey. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll primarily be on US 50, with some sections of West 4th Street and MO 5 integrated into the path. This drive is well-suited for a single day, with no need to break it up for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67 miles from Lake Ozark, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of the drive taking place on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91.2 miles, primarily on US 50, which means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. While the exact scenery isn't detailed, this type of highway travel generally offers consistent speeds and a predictable driving rhythm. The integration of US 50, West 4th Street, and MO 5 suggests a mix of well-maintained state highways and potentially some local road segments as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and West 4th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
5
133.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrison...
5
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
Southwest Jefferson Street
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lake Ozark, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.
Tuscumbia
9.3 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 91.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| West 4th Street | 15 mi | 19m |
| MO 5 | 14.5 mi | 18m |
| US 54 | 7.3 mi | 7m |
| US 54 Bus | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Bagnell Dam Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 4m |
| South Grand Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Jefferson Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 91.2 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ozark, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on US 54 Business
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bagnell Dam Boulevard
2
Continue on Willmore Lane
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Willmore Lane
3
Enter roundabout
229 ft
·
4 sec
4
Continue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
5
Merge onto US 54
7.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 54
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
7
Turn left onto US 54 Bus; MO 52
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 54 Bus; MO 52
8
Turn left onto West 17th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West 17th Street
9
Continue on South Grand Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Grand Avenue
10
Turn left onto MO 52
15 mi
·
19 min
·
West 4th Street
11
Continue on MO 5
14 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 5
12
Turn left onto US 50; MO 5
16 mi
·
21 min
·
US 50; MO 5
13
Continue on US 50; MO 135
75 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
US 50; MO 135
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
15
Keep slight right at fork
472 ft
·
12 sec
16
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
17
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
18
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 53 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with ample daylight. The drive is manageable in one go, but if you prefer to break it up, consider a brief stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.2-mile stretch on US 50, as services might be less frequent than on interstates. With a fuel cost of around $21, planning for one fuel stop should be sufficient for this 134.1-mile journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 miles.
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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Ozark, 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 Lake Ozark, MO
This is one driving day of about 134.1 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Lake Ozark, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 50 for about 91.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67 mi from Lake Ozark, MO · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.2 miles.
Arriving in Lee's Summit, MO
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.97 one way
$41.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.81 | $51.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.61 | $59.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.08 | $6.44 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.73 | $5.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Evening in Lee's Summit on Wednesday
Local time
5:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Tipton, MO
67 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lake Ozark, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 134.1 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, West 4th Street, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67 miles from Lake Ozark, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lake Ozark, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.
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