Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Night in Lee's Summit on Thursday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Hamilton, MO
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
77.7 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Hamilton, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
This 77.7-mile drive from Lee's Summit, MO, to Hamilton, MO, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I-435, with a small portion on Blue Parkway, offering a high percentage of highway driving at 98%. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region, staying within Missouri for the entire duration. It's a convenient option if you're looking for a quick excursion without needing an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.9 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 77.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 77.7-mile route, with 98% of the drive taking place on major roadways like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I-435. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter spans 52.6 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While the highway nature means less variety in scenery, it ensures a direct and efficient path between Lee's Summit and Hamilton. This type of drive is ideal for covering ground quickly and minimizing transit time.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I 435. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North
5
10.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
23.5 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52B I35
Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
9
23.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit I35 N
Toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
6
64.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
MO 110
Take the exit onto MO 110 toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Camer...
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 Hamilton, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
23.5 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 52.6 mi | 57m |
| I 435 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| Blue Parkway | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| US 50 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| I435 N | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| US 36 Business | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| MO 110 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 52.6 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Hamilton, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 50 West: Raytown
3
Merge onto US 50
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50
4
Continue on MO 350
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Blue Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 435 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 435
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I435 N
8
Continue on I 435
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
I 435
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 52B I35
Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit I35 N
Toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit onto MO 110
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
MO 110
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
14
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 36 Business, MO 13: Hamilton
16
Turn left onto US 36 Business; MO 13
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 36 Business; MO 13
17
Arrive at destination
MO 13
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 32 minutes, this drive offers ample flexibility, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour traffic on I-435. With no designated stops in the data, you can easily pause for a quick break in Lee's Summit before departing or wait until you reach Hamilton. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $12, so you won't need to worry much about refueling during the 77.7-mile trip. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic congestion on I-435, especially during peak commuting hours, as it's a significant portion of your drive.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.9 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamilton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lee's Summit, MO
This is one driving day of about 77.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lee's Summit, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 52.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.9 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.9 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hamilton, MO
The final approach into Hamilton, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.15 one way
$24.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.95 | $29.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.16 | $34.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.88 | $4.97 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Hamilton, MO
Night in Hamilton on Thursday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
21 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
1h 32m 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 Hamilton, MO covers 77.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, I 435, Blue Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.9 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 $12.15 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Hamilton, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
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