How far is Saint James, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?

The driving distance from Saint James, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 189.9 miles (305.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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.
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
189.91 mi
03h 18m
Flight
162.51 mi
261.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint James.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.51 mi
Kilometers
261.54 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.91 mi
Kilometers
305.63 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 9:55 AM CDT
Return by in Saint James
Thu, Apr 23, 1:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint James
2026-04-23T06:37
Arrive Lee's Summit
Thu, Apr 23, 9:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint James
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tipton
MO

Town in Missouri

From Saint James
94.8 mi
01h 39m
To Lee's Summit
95.1 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 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 Saint James and Lee's Summit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Washington Street

    8 m · 3 sec · East Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Jefferson Street

    12.9 mi · 19 min · South Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    100.1 mi · 2 hr 6 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville

    767 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    144 m · 13 sec

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Southwest Jefferson Street

    31 m · 2 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street

    2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Jefferson Street
113 mi · 60%
Southwest Jefferson Street
0.49 mi
MO 291 South
0.23 mi
Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
East Washington Street
0 mi
Longest Stretch

South Jefferson Street

Continue straight

100 mi · 02h 06m

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
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
162.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tipton
01h 39m from Saint James
Leave By
10:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint James 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 Saint James to Lee's Summit?

The road trip is about 189.9 miles (305.6 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?

Tipton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.8 miles from Saint James and 95.1 miles from Lee's Summit.

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

The direct path is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 10:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.27 one way or $50.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint James and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lee's Summit.

Stop Ideas Near Tipton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tipton, 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 Tipton.

RAIL

Sedalia

39 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Jefferson City

54 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Warrensburg

84 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Hermann

117 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint James and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 162.51 mi (261.54 km).

Saint James

#1 Saint James

City in Phelps County, Missouri, United States

Population4,006
Coordinates37.9972600, -91.6143200
Altitude333
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: East Washington Street (-91.614285, 37.997211)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 306 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.7 gal
25.37 L · about $25.27
Round trip
$50.53
13.4 gal · 50.74 L
Estimated CO2
59.5 kg one way
Round trip: 119.1 kg / 263 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.27 $50.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.50 $56.99
Premium $4.65 $31.18 $62.36
Diesel $5.30 $35.54 $71.07

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 Saint James and Lee's Summit. The current time is 06:37:23.

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.