Origin
Lexington, MO
Late night in Lexington on Friday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
48.3 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington, MO
Change C.C
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through Missouri, the 50.2-mile journey from Lexington to Lee's Summit is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day. Expect to spend roughly 54 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate a path that relies heavily on local roads rather than long stretches of interstate. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, this route is an economical choice for travelers looking to get from point A to point B without a major time commitment. Because both locations are situated within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the entire drive. It is an ideal distance for those who prefer to avoid the fatigue of a multi-day trek. Overall, this trip offers a simple, efficient connection between two Missouri towns.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 48.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will primarily utilize US 24 West, MO 131 South, and I 70 West to complete the 50.2-mile distance. Since this route features a 0% highway share, you should anticipate a more hands-on driving experience with frequent adjustments rather than just setting cruise control. The road's personality is defined by its local character, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific state and federal routes. It is a practical, functional path that prioritizes regional connectivity over high-speed travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (MO 131): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 16.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 24 West: Buckner, Independence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 24 West: Buckner, Independence
5
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
MO 131
Enter roundabout onto MO 131 toward MO 131 South: Odessa
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 131 South: Odessa
5
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
38 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
44.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| MO 131 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| US 24 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| MO 291 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South 13th Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Southeast 3rd Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 19.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on South 13th Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South 13th Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 24 West: Buckner, Independence
3
Merge onto US 24
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 24
4
Enter roundabout onto MO 131
237 ft
·
3 sec
·
MO 131
Toward MO 131 South: Odessa
5
Continue on MO 131
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 131
Toward MO 131 South: Odessa
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
11
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MO 291
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 3rd Street
13
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.2 mi from Lexington, MO · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.2 miles from Lexington, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lee's Summit, MO
The final approach into Lee's Summit, 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
$7.55 one way
$15.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.29 | $16.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.29 | $18.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.66 | $21.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night in Lee's Summit on Friday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Odessa, MO
24 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m 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 Lexington, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 48.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, MO 131, I 470. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.2 miles from Lexington, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.55 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 48.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (MO 131): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 16.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lexington, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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