How far is Shell Knob, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance from Shell Knob, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 198.7 miles (319.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 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.
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 03h 18m.
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.
Human settlement in Barton County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shell Knob and Lee's Summit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shell Knob and Lee's Summit.
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1
Start on Farm Road 1240
14 m · 9 sec · Farm Road 1240
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2
Turn sharp left onto Farm Road 1230
746 ft · 36 sec · Farm Road 1230
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3
Turn left onto State Highway 39
24.1 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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4
Continue on South Elliott Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · South Elliott Avenue
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5
Turn left onto East Olive Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Olive Street
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6
Continue on North Carnation Drive
9.4 mi · 14 min · North Carnation Drive
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 44 West: Joplin
1106 ft · 27 sec
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8
Merge slight left
27.9 mi · 30 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
2063 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
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15
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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16
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
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17
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
1036 ft · 27 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest Jefferson Street
58 m · 4 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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20
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shell Knob and Lee's Summit.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Shell Knob and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lee's Summit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shell Knob to Lee's Summit?
The road trip is about 198.7 miles (319.7 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?
Lamar Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Shell Knob and 99.4 miles from Lee's Summit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 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 $26.43 one way or $52.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Shell Knob and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lee's Summit.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shell Knob and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 162.64 mi (261.75 km).
#1 Shell Knob
Census designated place
| Population | 1,379 |
| Coordinates | 36.6322900, -93.6343600 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lee's Summit
The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 101,467 |
| Coordinates | 38.9108400, -94.3821700 |
| Altitude | 316 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.81 | $59.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.62 | $65.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.