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Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Terre Haute, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

153.1 mi

246 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m

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

city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Terre Haute, MO, MO

Terre Haute, MO

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Terre Haute, MO covers 153.1 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, East 310th Street, US 136 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.8 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.94 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

76.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 153.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 14m highway drive covering 153.1 miles, with most of the trip on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and East 310th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.8 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 78.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and East 310th Street. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 153.1 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 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 14 key points

These 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
4
30.3 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 35; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

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 Terre Haute, 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 78.8 mi 1h 24m
East 310th Street 27.5 mi 40m
US 136 20.1 mi 29m
I 435 11.6 mi 13m
Blue Parkway 7.7 mi 11m
MO K 2.3 mi 5m
US 50 1.7 mi 1m
I435 N 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Chicago-Kansas City Expressway — 78.8 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

73 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
14

Turn right onto US 136

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Miller Street
15

Continue on US 136

27 mi · 40 min · East 310th Street
16

Turn left onto US 136

20 mi · 29 min · US 136
17

Turn right onto MO K

2.3 mi · 5 min · MO K
18

Turn right onto MO KK

164 ft · 7 sec · MO KK
19

Arrive at destination

MO KK

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 76.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.8 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 34 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.6 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, 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 153.1 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 78.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.6 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 1h 28m into the drive

Downtown Gallatin, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gallatin, MO

77 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

Liberty, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gallatin, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.6 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.8 miles.

Arriving in Terre Haute, MO

The final approach into Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.94 one way

$47.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.28 $52.56
premium $4.89 $29.46 $58.93
diesel $5.61 $33.80 $67.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.9 0 $16.08 $7.35
Efficient EV 38.3 0 $13.40 $6.12
EV Truck/SUV 61.2 0 $21.43 $9.80

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Thursday

Local time

3:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, MO

Afternoon in Terre Haute on Thursday

Local time

3:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Gallatin, MO

77 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

1 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 14m 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 Terre Haute, MO covers 153.1 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, East 310th Street, US 136. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.6 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 $23.94 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 153.1 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.
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 Terre Haute, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.

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