The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Bethany, MO covers 368.5 miles and takes about 7h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 60, MO 13, MO 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.3 miles on US 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.3 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 368.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 36m highway drive covering 368.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 177.3 miles on US 60.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 368.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.8 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 20.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
5
20.8 mi into trip|~29m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
5
20.9 mi into trip|~30m in|MO 7
Turn slight left onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
5
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
6
240 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lee's Summit, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Saint Louis
144.4 mi in|~2h 53m
Poplar Bluff
240 mi in|~4h 46m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
177.3 mi
3h 28m
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
MO 53
19.6 mi
29m
MO 291
16.9 mi
24m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
MO J
5.2 mi
9m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Bethany, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·50 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
3
Enter roundabout
251 ft·5 sec
4
Continue
367 ft·9 sec
5
Continue on MO 291
17 mi·24 min·MO 291
6
Continue on Cantrell Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Cantrell Road
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
8
Merge onto I 49; US 71
2.8 mi·3 min·I 49; US 71
9
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
10
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
11
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
15
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
17
Merge onto US 60
82 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 60
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
90 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi·6 min·US 60
20
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
21
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
22
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
2.3 mi·3 min·North Westwood Boulevard
23
Turn slight left
133 ft·7 sec
24
Turn slight left onto MO 53
20 mi·29 min·MO 53
25
Turn left onto MO J
5.2 mi·9 min·MO J
26
Turn left onto MO H
3.5 mi·8 min·MO H
27
Turn right onto County Road 102
0.8 mi·3 min·County Road 102
28
Arrive at destination
County Road 102
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.3 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 81 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.3 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lee's Summit, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lee's Summit, MO
This is one driving day of about 368.5 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Lee's Summit, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 177.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.3 mi from Lee's Summit, MO
· 3h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 184.3 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bethany, MO
The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 152.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.61 one way
$115.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$63.25
$126.51
premium
$4.89
$70.91
$141.83
diesel
$5.61
$81.36
$162.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.6
1
$38.69
$17.69
Efficient EV
92.1
1
$32.24
$14.74
EV Truck/SUV
147.4
1
$51.59
$23.58
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon
in Lee's Summit on Thursday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethany, MO
Afternoon
in Bethany on Thursday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Houston, MO
184 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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 36m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Bethany, MO covers 368.5 miles and takes about 7h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, MO 13, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 184.3 miles from Lee's Summit, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 368.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.8 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 20.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lee's Summit, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
