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Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Kansas City, MO

Drive Time

29m

Distance

19.9 mi

32 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 27m ★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m

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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Downtown Lee's Summit, MO, MO

Lee's Summit, MO

Jeevan Mahat

Downtown Kansas City, MO, MO

Kansas City, MO

Matthew Chirinos

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lee's Summit to Kansas City is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 19.9 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 29 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Given the short distance, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or heavy fuel expenses, which should hover around $3 for the entire trip. This route transitions you through the heart of the Missouri Midwest, keeping you within the same region throughout the drive. Because there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to plan your arrival time to suit your schedule perfectly. It is an efficient connection between these two Missouri locales that prioritizes speed and simplicity over a lengthy scenic tour.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

10 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive offers a mixed experience, balancing local roads with faster interstate travel. You will spend roughly 60% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of Blue Parkway, the George Brett Super Highway, and I-435. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 7.7-mile run along Blue Parkway, which helps break up the more fast-paced highway segments. Expect the road character to shift as you transition from local thoroughfares into the higher-speed flow of the interstate system. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging without requiring constant attention, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you move between the two cities.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,039 ft 760 ft

Total Climb

647 ft

Total Descent

788 ft

Highest Point

1,039 ft

Elevation Range

278 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 19.9 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 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 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
8
13 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 70, US 24 West: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Sports Complex

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 63A Toward I 70, US 24 West: Kansas City, Saint Lou...
8
13.1 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West, US 24 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 70 West, US 24 West: Kansas City
9
19.2 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 670; I 70 Alt

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2L Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South:...
9
19.4 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward 13th Street, Downtown

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 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown

Towns Along This Route

Between Lee's Summit, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Sports Complex.

Saint Louis

13 mi in | ~18m

Sports Complex

13 mi in | ~18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Blue Parkway 7.7 mi 11m
George Brett Super Highway 5.3 mi 7m
I 435 2.4 mi 2m
US 50 1.7 mi 1m
Southwest 3rd Street 0.6 mi 1m
East 13th Street 0.2 mi <1m
I 670 0.2 mi <1m
Oak Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Blue Parkway — 7.7 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Kansas City, MO.

1

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Southwest 3rd Street
2

Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Raytown

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 50 West: Raytown
3

Merge slight left

1.7 mi · 1 min
4

Continue on Blue Parkway

7.7 mi · 11 min · Blue Parkway
5

Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North

0.4 mi · 39 sec · I 435 North
6

Merge slight left

2.4 mi · 2 min
7

Take the exit slight right toward I 70, US 24 West: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Sports Complex

0.1 mi · 16 sec · I 70, US 24 West: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Sports Complex
8

Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West, US 24 West: Kansas City

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 70 West, US 24 West: Kansas City
9

Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway

5.3 mi · 7 min · George Brett Super Highway
10

Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
11

Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 13th Street, Downtown
12

Continue on East 13th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East 13th Street
13

Turn right onto Oak Street

456 ft · 13 sec · Oak Street
14

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 29-minute trip, you have plenty of freedom regarding your departure time. You don't need to worry about pacing stops or long-distance fatigue, as the route is direct and requires no planned breaks. If you want to avoid heavy traffic, keep an eye on your navigation app before hopping onto I-435, as highway conditions can change quickly in this metropolitan area. For the most efficient drive, prioritize the George Brett Super Highway when navigating the transition between your starting point and the interstate. Keep your tank topped off before you leave Lee's Summit, though with a fuel cost of only $3, you will find this an incredibly budget-friendly commute.

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 10 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 19.9 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 10 miles or 15m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, 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 19.9 miles and 29m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Blue Parkway for about 7.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10 mi from Lee's Summit, MO · 15m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lawson, MO

10 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.

Popular next leg

Lawson, MO to Kansas City, MO

35.2 mi · 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Lawson, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lawson, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kansas City, MO

The final approach into Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, 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

$3.02 one way

$6.05 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $3.33 $6.66
premium $4.80 $3.76 $7.51
diesel $5.64 $4.42 $8.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6 0 $2.09 $0.96
Efficient EV 5 0 $1.74 $0.80
EV Truck/SUV 8 0 $2.79 $1.27

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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 data refreshed 41 minutes ago

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Late night in Lee's Summit on Monday

Local time

3:36 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

Kansas City, MO

Late night in Kansas City on Monday

Local time

3:36 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

29m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Kansas City, MO covers 19.9 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Parkway, George Brett Super Highway, I 435. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10 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 $3.02 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 19.9 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 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lee's Summit, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Sports Complex.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 760 ft to 1,039 ft elevation with about 647 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Kansas City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

19.6 mi 29m

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