Origin
Malden, MO
Afternoon in Malden on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malden, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Drive Time
7h 36m
Distance
370.6 mi
596 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Malden, MO
ShotPot
Lee's Summit, MO
Jeevan Mahat
Trip Overview
Traveling from Malden to Lee's Summit spans 370.6 miles across Missouri, a journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 36 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day, though you should budget approximately $56 for fuel. The route primarily utilizes US 60, the North Kansas Expressway, and MO 7 to navigate through the Midwest. While the drive is straightforward, the time behind the wheel is significant, so plan for at least two stops to keep yourself refreshed. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route provides a consistent path that avoids the complexity of winding backroads.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.3 miles from Malden, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as highway driving accounts for 94% of your total mileage. Your focus will be on maintaining momentum, especially during the longest stretch of 176.6 miles along US 60. The road character remains consistent throughout the drive, offering a predictable experience rather than a technical or winding path. You will transition between major corridors and secondary state routes, requiring you to stay alert during the extended highway segments. Overall, the drive feels efficient and direct, moving you steadily from the bootheel toward the Kansas City area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 176.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 25 Business / South Madison Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 370.6 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: near the start (MO 25 Business / South Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 25 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 226.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 25 Business / South Madison Street
Turn left onto MO 25 Business / South Madison Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 25 Business / West Main Street
Turn left onto MO 25 Business / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
226.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
226.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
6
352.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 60 | 176.6 mi | 3h 28m |
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| MO 7 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| MO 53 | 19.5 mi | 29m |
| MO J | 11.5 mi | 20m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 291 | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 176.6 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malden, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on West Laclede Street
63 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Laclede Street
2
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
442 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Madison Street
3
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Douglas Street
5
Turn left onto MO J
12 mi
·
20 min
·
MO J
6
Turn right onto MO 53
20 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 53
7
Turn right onto US 67 Business
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Westwood Boulevard
8
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Street
9
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
10
Continue on US 67; US 60 Business
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 67; US 60 Business
11
Continue on US 60; US 67
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 60; US 67
12
Take the exit onto US 60
173 mi
·
3 hr 23 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
14
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
16
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
18
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
19
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
20
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
22
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
24
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
25
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
26
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
27
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
28
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
29
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
30
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7.5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final leg of the trip. Since you have two planned stops, use those opportunities to stretch and refuel, keeping your $56 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your vehicle's consumption. Because the route relies heavily on major roads like US 60 and MO 7, keep an eye on traffic reports for these specific highways before you head out. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage on this route, as it allows you to bypass peak congestion periods. Remember to prioritize your rest intervals, particularly when navigating the long, uninterrupted stretches that define this Missouri trek.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.3 miles from Malden, MO, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.6 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 82 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.3 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Malden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Malden, MO
This is one driving day of about 370.6 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Malden, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 176.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.3 mi from Malden, MO · 3h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 185.3 miles from Malden, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.6 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lee's Summit, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.29 one way
$112.58 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.05 | $124.11 |
| premium | $4.80 | $69.96 | $139.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.33 | $164.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.2 | 1 | $38.91 | $17.79 |
| Efficient EV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.43 | $14.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.2 | 1 | $51.88 | $23.72 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
81°F
Bono, AR
185 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
15 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
7h 36m 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 Malden, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 370.6 miles and takes about 7h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, North Kansas Expressway, 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 185.3 miles from Malden, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.29 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 370.6 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: near the start (MO 25 Business / South Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 25 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 226.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Malden, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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