Origin
Washington County, MO
Night in Washington County on Thursday
Local time
9:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington County, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
244.6 mi
394 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington County, MO
Townsend Walton
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Washington County, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 244.6 miles and takes about 5h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 50, US 63, MO 8 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.1 miles on US 50. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
122.3 miles from Washington County, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 244.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 27m highway drive covering 244.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 50 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 100.1 miles on US 50.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and US 63. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 42.6 miles in.
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 5h 27m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 42.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 55.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.5 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
42.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West: Rolla
Navigation decision point
Toward I 44 West: Rolla
6
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 195
Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
6
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
US 63
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
243.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrison...
6
244 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
|
Southwest Jefferson Street
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 100.1 mi | 2h 6m |
| US 63 | 76.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| MO 8 | 27.9 mi | 41m |
| I 44 | 12.3 mi | 13m |
| North Jefferson Street | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| MO AA | 7.7 mi | 18m |
| MO 19 | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Southwest Jefferson Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 100.1 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington County, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on this road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
Turn left onto MO AA
7.7 mi
·
18 min
·
MO AA
3
Turn right onto MO 8
28 mi
·
41 min
·
MO 8
4
Continue on MO 19
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
MO 19
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 44 West: Rolla
6
Merge onto I 44
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 44
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 195
Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
8
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 68
12 mi
·
18 min
·
North Jefferson Street
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
76 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 63
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 50
100 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
12
Keep slight right at fork
472 ft
·
12 sec
13
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
14
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
15
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
16
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 122.3 miles from Washington County, MO, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.1 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 54 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
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 Washington County, 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 Washington County, MO
This is one driving day of about 244.6 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Washington County, 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 US 50 for about 100.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.3 mi from Washington County, MO · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.3 miles from Washington County, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.1 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.24 one way
$76.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.99 | $83.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.07 | $94.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.00 | $108.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
| Efficient EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.40 | $9.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.24 | $15.65 |
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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Night in Lee's Summit on Thursday
Local time
9:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
5h 27m 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 Washington County, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 244.6 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, US 63, MO 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.3 miles from Washington County, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.24 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.
This is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 55.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.5 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Washington County, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
Lee's Summit, MO to Washington County, MOPlan the drive back the other way.
241.4 mi
5h 27m
Continue From Lee's Summit, MO
More from Washington County, MO
More trips to Lee's Summit, MO
Explore more options from Washington County, MO or browse trips ending in Lee's Summit, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Washington County, MO or Lee's Summit, MO on MapSof.net.