How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Athens, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Athens, MO is about 262.5 miles (422.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Harrison County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Athens.
-
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
3056 ft · 1 min · Southwest 3rd Street
-
2
Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Raytown
1053 ft · 26 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
4
Continue on Blue Parkway
7.7 mi · 12 min · Blue Parkway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North
2282 ft · 39 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
11.4 mi · 13 min
-
7
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
-
8
Continue straight
724 ft · 10 sec
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
599 ft · 15 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
2281 ft · 56 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
107.2 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Leon, Mount Ayr
2095 ft · 52 sec
-
14
Turn right onto State Highway 2
682 ft · 13 sec · State Highway 2
-
15
Continue on Vine Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Vine Street
-
16
Continue on State Highway 2
3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 2
-
17
Continue on West 1st Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West 1st Street
-
18
Continue on State Highway 2
21.6 mi · 32 min · State Highway 2
-
19
Continue on West Jefferson Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Jefferson Street
-
20
Turn straight onto State Highway 2
8.3 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
-
21
Continue on West Main Street
2658 ft · 45 sec · West Main Street
-
22
Continue on State Highway 2
14 mi · 21 min · State Highway 2
-
23
Continue on West Maple Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Maple Street
-
24
Continue on State Highway 2
38 mi · 55 min · State Highway 2
-
25
Continue on West Highway 2
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Highway 2
-
26
Continue on State Highway 2
19 mi · 28 min · State Highway 2
-
27
Continue on State Highway 2
4.6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 2
-
28
Turn right onto State Highway 81
2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 81
-
29
Continue straight
2.6 mi · 4 min
-
30
Turn left
4 mi · 10 min
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
107 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Athens?
The road trip is about 262.5 miles (422.5 km) and usually takes 05h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Blythedale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.2 miles from Lee's Summit and 131.4 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 79 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.92 one way or $69.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lee's Summit and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Blythedale
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 Blythedale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Athens. Straight-line distance: 183.47 mi (295.26 km).
#1 Lee's Summit
The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 101,467 |
| Coordinates | 38.9108400, -94.3821700 |
| Altitude | 316 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Township in Missouri
| Population | 2,080 |
| Coordinates | 40.5825400, -91.6985000 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-91.6985, 40.58254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 423 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.92 | $69.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.38 | $78.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.10 | $86.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.12 | $98.23 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.