How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Center, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Center, MO is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 36m 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 03h 48m.
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.
City in Cooper County, Missouri, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Center.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
1495 ft · 41 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Continue on Southeast 3rd Street
109 m · 16 sec · Southeast 3rd Street
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3
Turn left onto Southeast Douglas Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · Southeast Douglas Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis
1160 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto I 470 North: Saint Louis
7 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
2063 ft · 44 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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8
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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12
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
1188 ft · 28 sec
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16
Turn left
18.1 mi · 20 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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19
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
56 m · 2 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
18.6 mi · 21 min
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22
Turn sharp right onto South Public Street
94 m · 14 sec · South Public Street
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23
Turn left onto East Lamb Street
31 m · 5 sec · East Lamb Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Lamb Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Center?
The road trip is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?
Boonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from Lee's Summit and 99 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 9:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.32 one way or $52.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lee's Summit and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Boonville
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 Boonville.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Center. Straight-line distance: 158.23 mi (254.64 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 Center
City in Ralls County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 505 |
| Coordinates | 39.5081000, -91.5287700 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-91.52877, 39.5081)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.69 | $59.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.48 | $64.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.02 | $74.04 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.