Drive Time
30m
Distance
22.3 mi
36 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Jeevan Mahat
If you are planning a quick commute from North Kansas City to Lee's Summit, expect a straightforward journey covering 22.3 miles. This trip typically takes about 30 minutes, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stops. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, your travel time is highly dependent on local traffic conditions. You can comfortably budget around $3 for fuel, keeping the overall cost of the trip quite low. This drive keeps you within the heart of the Midwest, offering a simple connection between these two Missouri cities. It is a practical choice for those who prefer avoiding highway congestion in favor of a more localized route.
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
11.2 miles from North Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this 22.3-mile path features a 0% highway share, requiring your full attention as you navigate through urban streets. You will travel along East 12th Avenue, Ozark Street, and Bedford Road to reach your destination. Because the longest stretch on East 12th Avenue is essentially non-existent, you should prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed and direction. The personality of this route is defined by its constant transitions, making it feel more like a functional neighborhood transit than a long-distance haul.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from North Kansas City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North Kansas City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 12th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ozark Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bedford Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 29 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| The Paseo | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| George Brett Super Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 435 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between North Kansas City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Start on the route
Exit the roundabout onto East 12th Avenue
Turn right onto Ozark Street
Turn left onto Bedford Road
Take the ramp left
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South, I 35 South, US 71 South
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight left toward The Paseo
Continue on The Paseo
Take the ramp slight left toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Blue Ridge Cutoff Sports Complex, Wichita
Keep slight right to continue on I 435 South: Wichita
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight left toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's Summit
Merge slight left onto Blue Parkway
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a short, 30-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are navigating local streets like Ozark Street and Bedford Road rather than highways, keep in mind that peak hours may impact your travel duration more than a standard interstate route would. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops given the short distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination without needing to refuel. My best advice is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy nature of the roads beforehand to ensure a smooth transition between the local thoroughfares. Keep your navigation system running, as the lack of long highway stretches makes quick, successive turns the standard for this trip.
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.
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 22.3 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.2 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North Kansas City, 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 North Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 22.3 miles and 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.2 mi from North Kansas City, MO · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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.
A short stop after about 22.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11.2 miles from North Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$3.39 one way
$6.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.73 | $7.47 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.95 | $9.91 |
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: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in North Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
1:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Kansas City, MO
11 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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