How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Carthage, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Carthage, MO is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.9 miles (193 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 02h 23m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Carthage.
-
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
529 ft · 15 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
-
2
Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street
2474 ft · 50 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
-
4
Exit the roundabout
112 m · 9 sec
-
5
Continue straight
16.9 mi · 25 min
-
6
Continue on Cantrell Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Cantrell Road
-
7
Take the exit straight toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1138 ft · 28 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
103.1 mi · 1 hr 50 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward MO V, MO D: Alba
1611 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Turn left onto North Garrison Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Garrison Avenue
-
11
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1248 ft · 1 min · West 4th Street
-
12
Turn left onto South Grant Street
46 m · 4 sec · South Grant Street
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Grant Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Carthage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 49 South
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 50m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Carthage?
The road trip is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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 Lee's Summit and 61.8 miles from Carthage.
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 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 1:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lee's Summit and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
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 Lee's Summit and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 119.9 mi (192.96 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 Carthage
City in Missouri
| Population | 14,732 |
| Coordinates | 37.1764500, -94.3102200 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-94.31022, 37.17645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 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 | $16.48 | $32.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.59 | $37.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
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.