Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO

Drive Time

6h 46m

Distance

339.2 mi

546 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

12 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 34m ★

6 AM

6h 46m

8 AM

7h 10m

10 AM

6h 54m

12 PM

6h 52m

3 PM

6h 56m

5 PM

7h 9m

8 PM

6h 39m

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

Poplar Bluff, MO

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO covers 339.2 miles and takes about 6h 46m 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 $51.52 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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

169.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 46m highway drive covering 339.2 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 24 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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 339.2 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 15 key points

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

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

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

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

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

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 Along This Route

On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.

Saint Louis

144.4 mi in | ~2h 53m

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 291	16.9 mi	24m
Schoolcraft Freeway	8.3 mi	10m
Payne Stewart Highway	4.3 mi	5m
North Westwood Boulevard	2.9 mi	4m
I 49	2.8 mi	3m

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 Poplar Bluff, MO.

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

253 ft · 5 sec · the route

Exit the roundabout

367 ft · 9 sec

Continue straight

17 mi · 24 min

Continue on Cantrell Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Cantrell Road

Take the exit straight toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

0.2 mi · 28 sec · I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Merge slight left

2.8 mi · 3 min

Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton

0.2 mi · 20 sec · MO 7 South: Clinton

Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7 South: Clinton

Continue straight

68 mi · 1 hr 19 min

Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

0.2 mi · 23 sec · I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway

4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson

0.4 mi · 50 sec · US 65 South: Branson

Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool

0.2 mi · 53 sec · US 60 East: Cabool

Merge slight left

82 mi · 1 hr 35 min

Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

90 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Keep slight right

4.8 mi · 6 min

Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Continue on State Street

0.3 mi · 26 sec · State Street

Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Turn left onto West Pine Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Pine Street

Arrive at your destination

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 169.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 3h 24m 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169.6 miles or 3h 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poplar Bluff, 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 339.2 miles and 6h 46m.

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 US 60 for about 177.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 169.6 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 3h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bentonville, AR

170 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.

Bentonville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.6 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 US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.

Arriving in Poplar Bluff, MO

The final approach into Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, 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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 152.1

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

$51.52 one way

$103.04 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$56.80	$113.59
premium	$4.80	$64.03	$128.07
diesel	$5.64	$75.36	$150.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

12 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, MO

Tesla

16 DCFC

Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, MO

Tesla

10 DCFC

Flying J 672

Peculiar, MO

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Price Chopper - Harrisonville

Harrisonville, MO

FCN

4 DCFC

Port In The Storm

Osceola, MO

SYNERGEV

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 1061

Springfield, MO

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

THOMPSON SALES COMPANY

SPRINGFIELD, MO

EV Connect

4 DCFC

Bob Sight Ford

Lee's Summit, MO

FORD_CHARGE

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 4 eVgo Network: 2 Tesla: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 FCN: 1 SYNERGEV: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	101.8	1	$35.62	$16.28
Efficient EV	84.8	0	$29.68	$13.57
EV Truck/SUV	135.7	1	$47.49	$21.71

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Late night in Lee's Summit on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSW 12 to 16 mph 13% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:46PM CDT until April 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Poplar Bluff, MO

Late night in Poplar Bluff on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

16 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

6h 46m 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 Poplar Bluff, MO covers 339.2 miles and takes about 6h 46m 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 169.6 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 $51.52 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.

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