How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Independence, MO is about 17 miles (27.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Jackson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Independence.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
3056 ft · 1 min · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Raytown
1053 ft · 26 sec
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3
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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4
Continue on Blue Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway
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5
Turn right onto South Noland Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Noland Road
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6
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Noland Road
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7
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
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8
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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9
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Independence.
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.
South Noland Road
Turn right onto South Noland Road
5.86 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lee's Summit and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Independence?
The road trip is about 17 miles (27.4 km) and usually takes 00h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Raytown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from Lee's Summit and 10 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.26 one way or $4.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lee's Summit and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Raytown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Vesper Hall
Country Club Plaza
Overlook at Quality Hill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Raytown.
Independence
Lee's Summit
Union Station
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Independence. Straight-line distance: 12.58 mi (20.25 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 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Kansas Avenue (-94.415514, 39.091027)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.26 | $4.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.55 | $5.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.79 | $5.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
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 · 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.