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

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

189.1 mi

304 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m

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

city in and county seat of Phelps County, Missouri, United States

Rolla, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Rolla, MO covers 189.1 miles and takes about 3h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 50, US 63, MO 291 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131.6 miles on US 50. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.56 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

94.6 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 59m. Total distance: 189.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 59m highway drive covering 189.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 50 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 131.6 miles on US 50.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 131.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and US 63. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia

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

Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
7
138.9 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | US 63

Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Rolla

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 63 South: Rolla
5
188.8 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | West 14th Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 14th Street

Navigation decision point

4
188.8 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | North Elm Street

Turn left onto North Elm Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 131.6 mi 2h 43m
US 63 49.6 mi 1h 3m
MO 291 6.6 mi 8m
North Elm Street 0.6 mi 1m
Southwest Jefferson Street 0.5 mi <1m
Southwest 3rd Street 0.1 mi <1m
West 10th Street <0.1 mi <1m
West 14th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 131.6 mi, about 2h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

0.1 mi · 15 sec
5

Take the exit onto MO 291

6.6 mi · 8 min · MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
6

Continue on US 50

132 mi · 2 hr 43 min · US 50
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 63

50 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla Use the straight lane.
8

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · North Elm Street
9

At end of road, turn right onto West 14th Street

147 ft · 10 sec · West 14th Street
10

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Elm Street
11

Turn right onto MO BB

203 ft · 6 sec · West 10th Street
12

Arrive at destination

MO BB

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 94.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.6 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 42 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.6 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rolla, 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 189.1 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 50 for about 131.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.6 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 1h 58m into the drive

Downtown California, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

California, MO

95 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

Sedalia, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

California, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.6 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 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.6 miles.

Arriving in Rolla, MO

The final approach into Rolla, 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 Rolla, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 189.1

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 189.1

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 67.5

Sedalia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 121.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 121.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+33172676914

Charge Pro Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 121.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18888074522

Visit website

Noodoe Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 121.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

+19094681118

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 121.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18889982546

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.56 one way

$59.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.46 $64.92
premium $4.89 $36.39 $72.78
diesel $5.61 $41.75 $83.50

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: 66.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.7 0 $19.86 $9.08
Efficient EV 47.3 0 $16.55 $7.56
EV Truck/SUV 75.6 0 $26.47 $12.10

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Late night in Lee's Summit on Friday

Local time

5:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rolla, MO

Late night in Rolla on Friday

Local time

5:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

California, MO

95 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

3h 59m 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 Rolla, MO covers 189.1 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 50, US 63, 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 94.6 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 $29.56 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 is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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