Origin
Vandalia, MO
Afternoon in Vandalia on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vandalia, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
188.5 mi
303 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
23 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Vandalia, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 188.5 miles and takes about 3h 40m 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 $29.47 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
94.3 miles from Vandalia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 188.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (29%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 40m drive with frequent turns across 188.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 US 54.
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 40m 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 (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 45.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 54
Turn right onto US 54
Navigation decision point
5
27.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 54
Turn left onto US 54 toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
45.6 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
178.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
184.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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 | 45.6 mi | 57m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| 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 |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential 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 Vandalia, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on MO F
48 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 54
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US 54
3
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
241 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 54; MO 19
4
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 54; MO 19
5
Enter roundabout onto US 54
62 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 54
6
Continue on US 54
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 54
7
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 54
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
18
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.
19
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 3rd Street
20
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
21
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 94.3 miles from Vandalia, MO, or about 1h 54m 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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.3 miles or 1h 54m 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 59m
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 Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, MO
This is one driving day of about 188.5 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Vandalia, 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 94.3 mi from Vandalia, MO · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.3 miles from Vandalia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.47 one way
$58.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.28 | $72.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.62 | $83.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Columbia, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Kingdom City, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
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
Pilot EV Charging Station
Boonville, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 7
Tesla Destination: 4
Tesla: 3
Other: 3
Blink: 2
EV Connect: 2
Rivian: 1
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.79 | $9.05 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.39 | $12.06 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Marshall, MO
94 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 40m 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 Vandalia, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 188.5 miles and takes about 3h 40m 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 94.3 miles from Vandalia, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.47 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 40m 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 (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 45.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Vandalia, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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