Trip from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

245.1 mi

394 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Lee's Summit, MO

Jeevan Mahat

Trip Overview

Connecting St. Louis to Lee's Summit requires a 245.1-mile journey across Missouri, typically taking around 4 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a straightforward trek within the Midwest, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $37 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway makes up the bulk of your travel time. Whether you are heading west for business or visiting family, this route offers a predictable and efficient path across the state.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

122.5 miles from St. Louis, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mix of driving styles as you transition from city exits to more open stretches. The road is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert through various interchanges. While highway travel accounts for 6% of the route, you will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Balancing these faster sections with the more technical local segments keeps the drive engaging. You will find that the personality of the road shifts from busy urban corridors to a more consistent pace as you traverse the heart of Missouri.

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 80.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 245.1 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 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

39.7 mi into trip | ~50m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

234.7 mi into trip | ~4h 29m 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

235 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | I 470; MO 291

Merge onto I 470; MO 291

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

241.4 mi into trip | ~4h 37m 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	80.7 mi	1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	54.3 mi	58m
Avenue of the Saints	27.8 mi	33m
I 470	6.4 mi	7m
Daniel Boone Expressway	5.7 mi	7m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway	4.3 mi	5m
MO 291	2.5 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Market Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville

Merge onto I 64; US 40

4.3 mi · 5 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40

Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.6 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

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

Merge onto I 470; MO 291

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 470; MO 291

Use the none lane.

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.

Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street

Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple since the trip is manageable in one go, but keeping your single planned stop flexible will help you manage the nearly five-hour duration comfortably. Try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic near St. Louis, which will make the initial leg of your journey much smoother. Given the $37 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station during the longest 80.7-mile stretch. Since this is a turn-heavy route, pay close attention to signage when switching between the Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway to stay on track.

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 122.5 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 122.5 miles or 2h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 53m

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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO

This is one driving day of about 245.1 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St. Louis, 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 80.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 122.5 mi from St. Louis, MO · 2h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

123 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

Quincy, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.5 miles from St. Louis, 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 80.7 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.23 one way

$74.46 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$41.04	$82.08
premium	$4.80	$46.27	$92.54
diesel	$5.64	$54.45	$108.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	73.5	0	$25.74	$11.76
Efficient EV	61.3	0	$21.45	$9.80
EV Truck/SUV	98	1	$34.31	$15.69

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

St. Louis, MO

Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday

Local time

2:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SE 8 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Lee's Summit, MO

Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday

Local time

2:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

123 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

26 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

4h 44m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 245.1 miles and takes about 4h 44m 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, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 122.5 miles from St. Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.23 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from St. Louis, MO or browse trips ending in Lee's Summit, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.

Explore maps for St. Louis, MO or Lee's Summit, MO on MapSof.net.

Trip from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lee's Summit, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

St. Louis, MO

Lee's Summit, MO

Same local time

26 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 44m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Lee's Summit, MO

More from St. Louis, MO

More trips to Lee's Summit, MO