How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Salem, MO?
The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Salem, MO is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.4 miles (285.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 04h 37m.
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.
Town in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Salem.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
529 ft · 15 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street
2474 ft · 50 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
597 ft · 15 sec
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5
Take the exit left toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
6.6 mi · 8 min
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6
Continue straight
131.6 mi · 2 hr 44 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: Rolla
49.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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8
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
747 ft · 26 sec · North Walnut Street
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9
Continue on East 18th Street
1072 ft · 39 sec · East 18th Street
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10
Turn right onto Holloway Street
1.4 km · 3 min · Holloway Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Salem Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Avenue
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12
Turn left
2.3 mi · 4 min
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13
Continue straight
21.2 mi · 27 min
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14
Turn left
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
15
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1270 ft · 35 sec · West 4th Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 50 East
Continue straight
132 mi · 02h 44m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Salem?
The road trip is about 215.3 miles (346.5 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
California is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.6 miles from Lee's Summit and 107.8 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.4 miles (285.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.9 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 7:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.66 one way or $57.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lee's Summit and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near California
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 California.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Salem. Straight-line distance: 177.4 mi (285.49 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 Salem
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,874 |
| Coordinates | 37.6456000, -91.5359800 |
| Altitude | 361 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-91.53598, 37.6456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.66 | $57.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.32 | $64.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.37 | $70.74 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.31 | $80.62 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.