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Trip from Mexico, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

160.3 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

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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city in and county seat of Audrain County, Missouri, United States

Mexico, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Mexico, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, US 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 72.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.06 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

80.2 miles from Mexico, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (14%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 4m drive with frequent turns across 160.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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 72.9 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 early in the drive near High Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | High Street

Turn right onto High Street

Navigation decision point

4
3.8 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward US 54 West: Jefferson City

Navigation decision point

Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
17.4 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

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

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
150 mi into trip | ~2h 48m 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
156.6 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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 72.9 mi 1h 22m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
US 54 13.4 mi 14m
I 470 6.4 mi 7m
South Clark Street 3.6 mi 5m
MO 291 2.5 mi 4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 2 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 1.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Jefferson Street

167 ft · 8 sec · South Jefferson Street
2

Turn right onto High Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · High Street
3

Turn left onto South Clark Street

3.6 mi · 5 min · South Clark Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5

Merge onto US 54

13 mi · 14 min · US 54
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7

Merge onto I 70; US 40

19 mi · 23 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13

Continue on I 70

1.6 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 15A Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit Use the right lane.
15

Merge onto I 470; MO 291

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 470; MO 291
16

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.
17

Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street
18

Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
19

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

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 80.2 miles from Mexico, MO, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 35 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.2 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m

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 Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO

This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Mexico, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 72.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.2 mi from Mexico, MO · 1h 33m into the drive

city in and county seat of Saline County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshall, MO

80 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

Marshall, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

82.9 mi · 1h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Columbia, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshall, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Mexico, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 114.5

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 34.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 80.2

Nelson, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 45.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.06 one way

$50.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.52 $55.03
premium $4.89 $30.85 $61.70
diesel $5.61 $35.39 $70.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Destination Charger

Columbia, Missouri

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Columbia, Missouri

Rivian

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Boonville, Missouri

Electrify America

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Columbia, Missouri

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Higginsville, Missouri

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 5 Tesla: 3 Tesla Destination: 2 Other: 2 EV Connect: 2 Rivian: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.1 0 $16.83 $7.69
Efficient EV 40.1 0 $14.03 $6.41
EV Truck/SUV 64.1 0 $22.44 $10.26

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 13, 2026

Origin

Mexico, MO

Night in Mexico on Thursday

Local time

10:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 18 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:39AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Lee's Summit, MO

Night in Lee's Summit on Thursday

Local time

10:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Marshall, MO

80 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

10 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

3h 4m 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 Mexico, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, US 54. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.2 miles from Mexico, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.06 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 4m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Mexico, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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