Marionville to Lee's Summit is 177.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 26 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I 44, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traveling from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. Expect a route with a good number of turns, making it feel more like a local drive than a pure highway sprint. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this is a solid option for a single-day road trip.
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
88.9 miles from Marionville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 177.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This journey offers a turn-heavy local drive feel, with only 28% of the route on highways. You'll encounter the Purple Heart Trail for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.9 miles, which likely means a more engaging, less monotonous experience. While I 44 and Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway are part of the main roads, the overall profile suggests a drive that frequently transitions between different road types, keeping you actively navigating. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience rather than a straight, fast shot.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 92.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 45.8 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 26m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 160.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
45.8 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18B
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansa...
5
159.9 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
160.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
5
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|Southwest Jefferson Street
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
177.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Marionville, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Step-by-step road directions between Marionville, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on MO ZZ
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Lincoln Street
2
Turn right onto MO 14
0.3 mi·39 sec·MO 14
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 60
4.1 mi·6 min·US 60
4
Turn right onto US 60 Business
2.0 mi·3 min·East Church Street
5
Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Elliott Avenue
6
Turn left onto MO 39; MO 265
1.2 mi·1 min·East Olive Street
7
Continue on MO 39; MO 265
9.4 mi·14 min·North Carnation Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
9
Merge onto I 44
28 mi·29 min·I 44
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 18BToward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
11
Merge onto I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 49; US 71
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Purple Heart Trail
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
15
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
16
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
17
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
18
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
19
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft·3 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
20
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
21
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 26 minute drive time, leaving Marionville in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Lee's Summit. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch is over 90 miles. The $28 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to check current prices. Pay attention to the frequent turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; having a reliable navigation system is key to staying on track for this route.
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 88.9 miles from Marionville, MO, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 39 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 45m
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 Marionville, 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 Marionville, MO
This is one driving day of about 177.7 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Marionville, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.9 mi from Marionville, MO
· 1h 44m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.9 miles from Marionville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.9 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 42.3
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.78 one way
$55.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.50
$61.01
premium
$4.89
$34.20
$68.39
diesel
$5.61
$39.23
$78.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Marionville, MO
Morning
in Marionville on Saturday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Morning
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Nevada, MO
89 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
19 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 26m 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 Marionville, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 177.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 44, Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.9 miles from Marionville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.78 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 26m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 160.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Marionville, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
