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

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

194.8 mi

314 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 49m

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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city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Forsyth, MO, MO

Forsyth, MO

Lena Khrupina

Trip Overview

The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Forsyth, MO covers 194.8 miles and takes about 3h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MO 13, MO 7, MO 291 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68 miles on MO 13. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.45 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

97.4 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 194.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 57m highway drive covering 194.8 miles, with most of the trip on MO 13 and MO 7. The longest continuous stretch is about 68 miles on MO 13.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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 12 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
5
148.9 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in

Take the exit toward US 65 South: Branson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson

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 Lee's Summit, MO to Forsyth, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.

Saint Louis

144.4 mi in | ~2h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 13 68 mi 1h 19m
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
MO 291 16.9 mi 24m
American Legion Memorial Highway 12.1 mi 13m
US Highway 65 12 mi 13m
Schoolcraft Freeway 10.7 mi 13m
US 160 10.3 mi 15m
Payne Stewart Highway 4.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: MO 13 — 68 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

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 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson
15

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 12 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
17

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 65
18

Continue on US 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth
20

Turn left onto US 160

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 160
21

Turn slight left onto US 160; MO 176

6.0 mi · 9 min · US 160; MO 176
22

Turn slight right onto Rockhill Drive

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Rockhill Drive
23

Arrive at destination

Rockhill Drive

Trip Plan

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 97.4 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 43 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 97.4 miles or 1h 58m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forsyth, 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 194.8 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 13 for about 68 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 97.4 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 1h 58m into the drive

city and county seat of Polk County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bolivar, MO

97 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

Garden City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Dorado Springs, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.4 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 MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.

Arriving in Forsyth, MO

The final approach into Forsyth, 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 Forsyth, MO.

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

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 161.2
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.45 one way

$60.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.44 $66.88
premium $4.89 $37.49 $74.97
diesel $5.61 $43.01 $86.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.4 0 $20.45 $9.35
Efficient EV 48.7 0 $17.04 $7.79
EV Truck/SUV 77.9 0 $27.27 $12.47

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

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

Forsyth, MO

Afternoon in Forsyth on Thursday

Local time

3:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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

3h 57m 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 Lee's Summit, MO to Forsyth, MO covers 194.8 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 13, MO 7, MO 291. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.4 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 $30.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Forsyth, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

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