How far is Poplar Bluff, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?

The driving distance from Poplar Bluff, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 343.5 miles (552.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
343.48 mi
05h 35m
Flight
263.65 mi
424.31 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Poplar Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
263.65 mi
Kilometers
424.31 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
343.48 mi
Kilometers
552.78 km
Drive Time
05h 35m

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 05h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 8:54 AM CDT
Return by in Poplar Bluff
Thu, Apr 23, 2:30 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Poplar Bluff
2026-04-23T03:18
Arrive Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 8:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:36 AM to 1:36 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Poplar Bluff
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Rogersville
MO

City in Greene and Webster Counties in the U.

From Poplar Bluff
169.2 mi
02h 47m
To Lee's Summit
174.3 mi
02h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Pine Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Pine Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Westwood Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on State Street

    1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    2283 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    4 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    172.6 mi · 3 hr 23 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia

    1511 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin

    1.3 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar

    596 ft · 15 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar

    46 m · 4 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar

    64 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway

    87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    35.9 mi · 39 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

    817 ft · 17 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

    74 m · 6 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 12 min

  21. 21

    Turn slight left

    8.5 mi · 12 min

  22. 22

    Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street

    1036 ft · 28 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest Jefferson Street

    58 m · 4 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street

    2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
26 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
4 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Westwood Boulevard
180 mi · 52%
North Kansas Expressway
123 mi · 36%
MO 291 North
8.53 mi · 2%
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.06 mi · 2%
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 1%
I 49 North
3.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Westwood Boulevard

Take the exit slight right

173 mi · 03h 23m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+79.9 mi
263.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rogersville
02h 47m from Poplar Bluff
Leave By
5:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 343.5 miles (552.8 km) and usually takes 05h 35m 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?

Rogersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 169.2 miles from Poplar Bluff and 174.3 miles from Lee's Summit.

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

The direct path is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 79.9 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 5:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.70 one way or $91.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Poplar Bluff and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lee's Summit.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Bluff and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 263.65 mi (424.31 km).

Poplar Bluff

#1 Poplar Bluff

City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States

Population16,807
Coordinates36.7570000, -90.3928900
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Lee's Summit

#2 Lee's Summit

The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population101,467
Coordinates38.9108400, -94.3821700
Altitude316
CountryUnited States
Start: West Pine Street (-90.392904, 36.756949)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 553 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.12 gal
45.88 L · about $45.70
Round trip
$91.41
24.24 gal · 91.76 L
Estimated CO2
107.7 kg one way
Round trip: 215.4 kg / 475 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $45.70 $91.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $51.55 $103.09
Premium $4.65 $56.41 $112.81
Diesel $5.30 $64.28 $128.57

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Poplar Bluff and Lee's Summit. The current time is 03:18:55.

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.