Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
157.1 mi
253 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Photo: Jeevan Mahat
The drive from Lebanon, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 157.1 miles and takes about 3h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MO 7, US 65, North Jefferson Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.8 miles on MO 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
78.5 miles from Lebanon, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 157.1 miles, with most of the trip on MO 7 and US 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.8 miles on MO 7.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and US 65. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 5; MO 64 / North Jefferson Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 5; MO 64 / North Jefferson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.4 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MO 5; MO 64 / North Jefferson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
On the drive from Lebanon, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Clinton along the way.
Clinton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 7 | 70.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 65 | 38.6 mi | 49m |
| North Jefferson Street | 28.7 mi | 39m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 291 | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| North Jefferson Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Jefferson Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.5 miles or 1h 45m 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 46m
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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO
This is one driving day of about 157.1 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.5 mi from Lebanon, MO · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.5 miles from Lebanon, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MO 7 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.8 miles.
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
$23.86 one way
$47.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.30 | $52.61 |
| premium | $4.80 | $29.66 | $59.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.50 | $7.54 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.99 | $10.05 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Billings, MO
79 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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