Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Buffalo, MO

Drive Time

2h 53m

Distance

137.7 mi

222 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Lee's Summit, MO, MO

Lee's Summit, MO

Jeevan Mahat

Downtown Buffalo, MO, MO

Buffalo, MO

Emre Akyol

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Lee's Summit to Buffalo, Missouri, expect a straightforward journey covering 137.7 miles. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost estimate of $21, it is an economical route for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary transit through the Midwest. The path relies heavily on MO 7 and MO 13, keeping you on main thoroughfares for the duration. Since both cities are located within Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive.

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

68.8 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive, as roughly 84% of your time will be spent on major routes like MO 7 and MO 13. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.6 miles on MO 7, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. The transition between these highways and local roads like West Broadway Street provides a functional mix of high-speed travel and necessary navigation. While the route is primarily focused on efficiency, the balance of highway segments ensures you keep moving toward your destination without frequent, frustrating detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,039 ft 929 ft

Total Climb

34 ft

Total Descent

143 ft

Highest Point

1,039 ft

Elevation Range

110 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 13. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Southwest Jefferson Street.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Southwest Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Jefferson Street

Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
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
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Play

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Pla...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Buffalo, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Fair Play along the way.

Fair Play

116.9 mi in | ~2h 20m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
MO 13 40.5 mi 46m
West Broadway Street 20.4 mi 31m
MO 291 16.9 mi 24m
I 49 2.8 mi 3m
Southwest Jefferson Street 0.5 mi <1m
South Maple Street 0.3 mi <1m
Cantrell Road 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: MO 7 — 55.6 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Buffalo, 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
Use the none lane.
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 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
10

Turn slight left onto MO 7

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use the left lane.
11

Continue on MO 13

40 mi · 46 min · MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Play
13

Turn left onto MO 32; MO 13 Business

20 mi · 31 min · West Broadway Street
14

Turn left onto South Maple Street

0.3 mi · 27 sec · South Maple Street
15

Arrive at destination

South Maple Street

Trip Plan

Because this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict timing. You will only need to account for one planned stop to keep your drive comfortable and efficient. Since you are spending about $21 on fuel, check your tank before leaving Lee's Summit to avoid unnecessary stops in smaller towns along the way. Pay close attention to your transitions onto MO 13, as this will be a key part of your navigation. A great way to manage this 137.7-mile trek is to treat the longest stretch on MO 7 as your primary focus for steady highway cruising.

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 68.8 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 68.8 miles or 1h 25m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lee's Summit, MO

This is one driving day of about 137.7 miles and 2h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lee's Summit, 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 MO 7 for about 55.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.8 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 1h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warsaw, MO

69 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

Billings, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warsaw, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Buffalo, MO

The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, 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

$20.92 one way

$41.83 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $23.06 $46.11
premium $4.80 $25.99 $51.99
diesel $5.64 $30.59 $61.18

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: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.3 0 $14.46 $6.61
Efficient EV 34.4 0 $12.05 $5.51
EV Truck/SUV 55.1 0 $19.28 $8.81

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 7 to 14 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Buffalo, MO

Afternoon in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 31% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Along the Route

41°F

Warsaw, MO

69 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

2 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

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Buffalo, MO covers 137.7 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 MO 7, MO 13, West Broadway Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.8 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 $20.92 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 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Southwest Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Buffalo, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Fair Play along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 929 ft to 1,039 ft elevation with about 34 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Buffalo, MO

Saint Charles, MO 194.3 mi · 3h 9m Kansas City, MO 155.3 mi · 2h 35m

More from Lee's Summit, MO

Malden, MO 371.2 mi · 7h 37m Arnold, MO 248.6 mi · 4h 49m Affton, MO 243.1 mi · 4h 44m Moline Acres, MO 240.3 mi · 4h 38m Clayton, MO 238.3 mi · 4h 37m Eureka, MO 233.6 mi · 4h 37m

Explore more options from Lee's Summit, MO or browse trips ending in Buffalo, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.

Explore maps for Lee's Summit, MO or Buffalo, MO on MapSof.net.