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

Drive Time

4h 37m

Distance

238.3 mi

384 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 24m ★

6 AM

4h 37m

8 AM

5h 4m

10 AM

4h 47m

12 PM

4h 44m

3 PM

4h 48m

5 PM

5h 3m

8 PM

4h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lee's Summit, MO

Jeevan Mahat

Clayton, MO

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

Spanning 238.3 miles across Missouri, this drive from Lee's Summit to Clayton typically takes 4 hours and 37 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $36 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly transit across the Midwest. You will primarily navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and the Avenue of the Saints. While the journey is straightforward, the combination of major highways and local roads provides a functional route for those moving between these two points in the state.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

119.2 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert as you transition between different road types. Only 4% of the route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local infrastructure rather than open interstates. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which stretches for 135.3 miles. Be prepared for a shift in pace as you move off major corridors and into the more technical, turn-heavy sections of the trip. Overall, the experience is less about cruise control and more about active driving through the heart of the region.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 135.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near I 470.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 238.3 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 2.8 miles (I 470): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.5 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 470

Merge onto I 470 toward I 470 North: Saint Louis

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 470 North: Saint Louis

9.8 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 16B Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

204.5 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

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

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...

235.7 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 170 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 31B-A Toward I 170 North

235.8 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 31B Toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	135.3 mi	2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
Avenue of the Saints	27.7 mi	33m
I 470	7 mi	8m
Daniel Boone Expressway	3.2 mi	3m
Southeast Douglas Street	2.2 mi	4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	1.9 mi	2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway	1.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Clayton, MO.

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on Southeast 3rd Street

358 ft · 16 sec · Southeast 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southeast Douglas Street

2.2 mi · 4 min · Southeast Douglas Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis

Merge onto I 470

7.0 mi · 8 min · I 470

Toward I 470 North: Saint Louis Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec

Exit 16B Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 70

1.1 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on I 64; US 40

3.2 mi · 3 min · Daniel Boone Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Exit 31B-A Toward I 170 North Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 31B Toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road Use the straight lane.

Continue on South Service Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Service Road

Toward Hanley Road

Turn left onto South Hanley Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Hanley Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Wydown Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Wydown Boulevard

Turn right onto Hillvale Drive

178 ft · 7 sec · Hillvale Drive

Arrive at destination

Hillvale Drive

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 4-hour and 37-minute duration. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, departing early in the day will help you navigate the more complex segments while you are fresh and visibility is at its peak. Keep your fuel budget of $36 in mind, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longer 135.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to avoid unnecessary detours. Flexibility is a major advantage here, so adjust your pace to accommodate the local road conditions as they change throughout the drive. Prioritize safety by checking your route turns in advance, as the high volume of local roads makes navigation slightly more involved than a simple interstate run.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 119.2 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.2 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clayton, 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 238.3 miles and 4h 37m.

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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 119.2 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 2h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

119 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

Kansas City, MO

Fuel and coffee

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

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.2 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.

Arriving in Clayton, MO

The final approach into Clayton, 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 Clayton, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.20 one way

$72.39 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$39.90	$79.80
premium	$4.80	$44.99	$89.97
diesel	$5.64	$52.94	$105.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71.5	0	$25.02	$11.44
Efficient EV	59.6	0	$20.85	$9.53
EV Truck/SUV	95.3	1	$33.36	$15.25

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clayton, MO

Afternoon in Clayton on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

119 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

33 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

4h 37m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Clayton, MO covers 238.3 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 119.2 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 $36.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Lee's Summit, MO to Clayton, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Clayton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

239 mi 4h 38m

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

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clayton, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lee's Summit, MO

Clayton, MO

Same local time

33 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 37m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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