How far is Lawson, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?

The driving distance from Lawson, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
51.82 mi
00h 58m
Flight
37.67 mi
60.63 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lawson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.67 mi
Kilometers
60.63 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.82 mi
Kilometers
83.39 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 00h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 10:15 AM CDT
Return by in Lawson
Thu, Apr 23, 11:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lawson
2026-04-23T09:16
Arrive Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 10:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lawson
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
River Bend
MO

Human settlement in Jackson County, Missouri, United States of America

From Lawson
22 mi
00h 29m
To Lee's Summit
29.8 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lawson and Lee's Summit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawson and Lee's Summit.

  1. 1

    Start on East 4th Street

    14 m · 7 sec · East 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Pennsylvania Avenue

    1492 ft · 43 sec · North Pennsylvania Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Moss Street

    1851 ft · 56 sec · West Moss Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Salem Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Northeast 184th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Northeast 184th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left

    7.1 mi · 11 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South McCleary Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · South McCleary Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Turn left

    4.1 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    7.7 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto MO 291 South: Independence

    849 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    16.4 mi · 22 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

    1495 ft · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lawson and Lee's Summit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MO 291 South
19.1 mi · 37%
South McCleary Road
0.95 mi · 2%
Southeast 3rd Street
0.86 mi · 2%
Salem Road
0.77 mi · 1%
Northeast 184th Street
0.76 mi · 1%
West Moss Street
0.35 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

MO 291 South

Merge slight left

16.4 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.1 mi
37.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
River Bend
00h 29m from Lawson
Leave By
4:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lawson 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 Lawson to Lee's Summit?

The road trip is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

River Bend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22 miles from Lawson and 29.8 miles from Lee's Summit.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 4:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.90 one way or $13.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lawson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lee's Summit.

Stop Ideas Near River Bend

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around River Bend and the surrounding midpoint area.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Scenic stop 12.6 mi away

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Kansas City , MO
1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Rating 4.8/5 1,825 reviews Tourist attraction,National museum
Vesper Hall
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

Vesper Hall

Blue Springs , MO
400 NW Vesper St, Blue Springs, MO 64014
Rating 4.6/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
Kansas City Music Hall
Nearby stop 13.4 mi away

Kansas City Music Hall

Kansas City , MO
301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Rating 4.5/5 500 reviews Auditorium
Overlook at Quality Hill
Scenic stop 13.6 mi away

Overlook at Quality Hill

Kansas City , MO
1031 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Rating 4.7/5 19 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to River Bend.

RAIL

Independence

11 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

19 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Lee's Summit

30 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Warrensburg

73 mi away
100 South Holden St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lawson and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 37.67 mi (60.63 km).

Lawson

#1 Lawson

City in Ray County, Missouri, United States

Population2,402
Coordinates39.4383400, -94.2041100
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Lee's Summit

#2 Lee's Summit

The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population101,467
Coordinates38.9108400, -94.3821700
Altitude316
CountryUnited States
Start: East 4th Street (-94.204111, 39.438259)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.83 gal
6.92 L · about $6.90
Round trip
$13.80
3.66 gal · 13.84 L
Estimated CO2
16.3 kg one way
Round trip: 32.5 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.90 $13.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.78 $15.57
Premium $4.65 $8.52 $17.03
Diesel $5.30 $9.71 $19.41

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

There is no time difference between Lawson and Lee's Summit. The current time is 09:16:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.