How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Taos, MO?

The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Taos, MO is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.31 mi
01h 21m
Flight
52.05 mi
83.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lee's Summit.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.05 mi
Kilometers
83.76 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.31 mi
Kilometers
103.5 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 01h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Taos
Wed, Apr 15, 6:35 PM CDT
Return by in Lee's Summit
Wed, Apr 15, 7:56 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lee's Summit
2026-04-15T17:14
Arrive Taos
Wed, Apr 15, 6:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lee's Summit
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Smithville
MO

City in Tennessee

From Lee's Summit
32.2 mi
00h 40m
To Taos
32.1 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 18 mph SSW
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 18 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lee's Summit and Taos.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit and Taos.

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    3056 ft · 1 min · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West: Raytown

    1053 ft · 26 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Continue on Blue Parkway

    7.7 mi · 12 min · Blue Parkway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North

    2282 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    11.4 mi · 13 min

  7. 7

    Continue on I435 N

    1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    20.9 mi · 22 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph

    13 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn

    851 ft · 21 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn

    28 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    1.3 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 371 Highway

    3.1 mi · 6 min · 371 Highway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Southeast 116 Highway

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 116 Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right

    1.5 mi · 4 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Southeast Taos Road

    5 m · 1 sec · Southeast Taos Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southeast Taos Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lee's Summit and Taos.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I435 N
22.1 mi · 34%
I 29 North
13 mi · 20%
I 435 North
11.9 mi · 18%
Blue Parkway
7.75 mi · 12%
371 Highway
3.09 mi · 5%
US 50 West
1.89 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I435 N

Continue straight

20.9 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.2 mi
52.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smithville
00h 40m from Lee's Summit
Leave By
3:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taos.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lee's Summit to Taos?

The road trip is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Smithville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.2 miles from Lee's Summit and 32.1 miles from Taos.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 3:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.56 one way or $17.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.2 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 Taos.

Stop Ideas Near Smithville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Smithville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Memorial Hall
Scenic stop 14.7 mi away

Memorial Hall

Kansas City , KS
600 N 7th St Trfy, Kansas City, KS 66101
Rating 4.4/5 492 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place
KCMO City Hall
Meeting point 14.8 mi away

KCMO City Hall

Kansas City , MO
414 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Rating 4.2/5 26 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 7.5 mi away

Glenaire Clubhouse And City Hall

Liberty , MO
309 Smiley Rd, Liberty, MO 64068
Rating 4.4/5 11 reviews Corporate office
Overlook at Quality Hill
Scenic stop 14.8 mi away

Overlook at Quality Hill

Kansas City , MO
1031 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Rating 4.7/5 19 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Smithville.

RAIL

Union Station

33 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Independence

36 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Lee's Summit

56 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Lawrence

73 mi away
413 East 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Taos. Straight-line distance: 52.05 mi (83.76 km).

Lee's Summit

#1 Lee's Summit

The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population101,467
Coordinates38.9108400, -94.3821700
Altitude316
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Taos

City in Buchanan County, Missouri, United States

Population1,157
Coordinates39.5775000, -94.8349600
Altitude326
CountryUnited States
Start: Lee's Summit (-94.38217, 38.91084)
End: Taos (-94.83496, 39.5775)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 104 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.27 gal
8.59 L · about $8.56
Round trip
$17.12
4.54 gal · 17.18 L
Estimated CO2
20.2 kg one way
Round trip: 40.3 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.56 $17.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.65 $19.31
Premium $4.65 $10.56 $21.13
Diesel $5.30 $12.04 $24.08

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Lee's Summit and Taos. The current time is 17:14:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.