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

The driving distance from Lee's Summit, MO to Tarkio, MO is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.2 miles (190.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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
139.53 mi
02h 45m
Flight
118.19 mi
190.21 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
118.19 mi
Kilometers
190.21 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.53 mi
Kilometers
224.55 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 02h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tarkio
Tue, May 12, 11:27 PM CDT
Return by in Lee's Summit
Wed, May 13, 2:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lee's Summit
2026-05-12T20:42
Arrive Tarkio
Tue, May 12, 11:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 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
Sparta
MO

City in Christian County, Missouri

From Lee's Summit
69.8 mi
01h 22m
To Tarkio
69.8 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    37.1 mi · 40 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    38 mi · 41 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax

    1577 ft · 29 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    12 mi · 18 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto US Highway 59

    5.8 mi · 9 min · US Highway 59

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    2617 ft · 50 sec · Walnut Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    998 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 North
75.1 mi · 54%
I435 N
22.1 mi · 16%
I 435 North
11.9 mi · 9%
Blue Parkway
7.75 mi · 6%
US Highway 59
7.24 mi · 5%
US 50 West
1.89 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 29 North

Continue straight

38 mi · 00h 41m

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
02h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.3 mi
118.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sparta
01h 22m from Lee's Summit
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lee's Summit and Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Sparta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.8 miles from Lee's Summit and 69.8 miles from Tarkio.

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

The direct path is about 118.2 miles (190.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.55 one way or $37.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.7 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 Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.

Stop Ideas Near Sparta

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sparta, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Union Station

66 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Independence

72 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Lawrence

83 mi away
413 East 7th Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

91 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lee's Summit and Tarkio. Straight-line distance: 118.19 mi (190.21 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
Tarkio

#2 Tarkio

City in Missouri

Population1,420
Coordinates40.4402800, -95.3777600
Altitude283
CountryUnited States
Start: Lee's Summit (-94.38217, 38.91084)
End: Tarkio (-95.37776, 40.44028)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 225 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.92 gal
18.64 L · about $18.55
Round trip
$37.11
9.84 gal · 37.28 L
Estimated CO2
43.7 kg one way
Round trip: 87.4 kg / 193 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.55 $37.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.92 $41.85
Premium $4.65 $22.90 $45.80
Diesel $5.30 $26.10 $52.19

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

There is no time difference between Lee's Summit and Tarkio. The current time is 20:42:39.

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.