How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Kirksville, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Kirksville, MO is about 172 miles (276.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.6 miles (210.2 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 Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Kirksville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Kirksville.
-
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
41.8 mi · 45 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right
1053 ft · 26 sec
-
14
Turn right
4.3 mi · 6 min
-
15
Turn straight
30.9 mi · 40 min
-
16
Turn right onto East 9th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East 9th Street
-
17
Continue on 10th Street
25.5 mi · 38 min · 10th Street
-
18
Turn left
24.7 mi · 37 min
-
19
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 14 min
-
20
Turn right onto Potter Trail
1.6 mi · 3 min · Potter Trail
-
21
Continue on West Potter Avenue
3164 ft · 1 min · West Potter Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto North Osteopathy
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Osteopathy
-
23
Turn left onto West Washington Street
2163 ft · 1 min · West Washington Street
-
24
Turn left onto North Franklin Street
3 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Kirksville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
41.8 mi · 00h 45m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kirksville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Kirksville?
The road trip is about 172 miles (276.8 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?
Gallatin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Lee's Summit and 86.1 miles from Kirksville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.6 miles (210.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 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 $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Lee's Summit and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kirksville.
Stop Ideas Near Gallatin
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 Gallatin.
Independence
Union Station
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Kirksville. Straight-line distance: 130.59 mi (210.16 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 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirksville (-92.58325, 40.19475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.25 | $56.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.