How far is St. Louis, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
Fastest route
Here are some tips and suggestions for your journey from St. Louis, Missouri, to Lee's Summit, Missouri. The distance is approximately 247 miles (397 kilometers), and the estimated travel time is 3 hours and 33 minutes. Follow these directions to reach your destination:
Directions
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🚗 Get on I-64 W/US-40 W: Head south toward S Tucker Blvd and turn right onto S Tucker Blvd. Then, make a right onto Clark Ave and finally, merge onto I-64 W/US-40 W.
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🛣️ Follow I-64 W/US-40 W and I-70 W: Continue on I-64 W/US-40 W and take exit 1A on the left to merge onto I-70 W/US-40 W toward Kansas City.
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🚙 Take exit 15A for I-470/MO-291 S: Continue to follow I-470 S, then take exit 7A for US-50 E toward Sedalia.
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🗺️ Merge onto E State Rte 350 E: Keep left to continue on US-50 E.
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🏞️ Take the exit toward 3rd St: Drive to SW 3rd St and turn left onto SW 3rd St (signs for Business Dist). Continue straight to stay on SW 3rd St.
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🏙️ Arrival at Lee's Summit: You have reached your destination in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Tips & Suggestions
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⛽ Make sure to have a full tank of gas before embarking on the journey, as it is a relatively long drive.
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🚓 Observe the speed limits and follow traffic rules to ensure a safe trip.
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🍴 Consider packing some snacks and water for the trip to stay refreshed and avoid unnecessary stops.
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📱 Charge your phone and have a car charger handy to stay connected in case you need navigation assistance.
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🚧 Check for any road closures or traffic updates along the way to plan for alternative routes if needed.
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🛣️ Take short breaks during the journey to stretch your legs and relax to stay alert on the road.
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📝 It's always a good idea to have a printed map or a GPS device as a backup, in case of any technological issues.
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 42m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Lee's Summit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Lee's Summit.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
1531 ft · 24 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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5
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
27.8 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
1418 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
2.5 mi · 4 min
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17
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street
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18
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
1495 ft · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Lee's Summit.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Lee's Summit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Lee's Summit?
The road trip is about 246.9 miles (397.4 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.3 miles from St. Louis and 124.6 miles from Lee's Summit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.2 miles (364.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.85 one way or $65.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Lee's Summit.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 226.24 mi (364.1 km).
#1 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.85 | $65.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.04 | $74.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.54 | $81.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.20 | $92.40 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.