How far is Carthage, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance from Carthage, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 124.1 miles (199.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.9 miles (193 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Lee's Summit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Lee's Summit.
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1
Start on South Grant Street
784 ft · 27 sec · South Grant Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Central Avenue
1242 ft · 39 sec · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Garrison Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Garrison Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
2198 ft · 27 sec
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5
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
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9
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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10
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
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11
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
1036 ft · 28 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest Jefferson Street
58 m · 4 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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14
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Lee's Summit.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carthage and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lee's Summit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Lee's Summit?
The road trip is about 124.1 miles (199.7 km) and usually takes 01h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62 miles from Carthage and 62.1 miles from Lee's Summit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.9 miles (193 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.52 one way or $33.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carthage and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lee's Summit.
Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rich Hill.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 119.9 mi (192.96 km).
#1 Carthage
City in Missouri
| Population | 14,732 |
| Coordinates | 37.1764500, -94.3102200 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lee's Summit
The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 101,467 |
| Coordinates | 38.9108400, -94.3821700 |
| Altitude | 316 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 200 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.52 | $33.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.63 | $37.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.38 | $40.77 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.