How far is Thayer, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance from Thayer, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 288.6 miles (464.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.6 miles (364.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 22m 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 04h 41m.
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.
City in Greene County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thayer and Lee's Summit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thayer and Lee's Summit.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn sharp left onto Front Street
133 m · 18 sec · Front Street
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3
Turn left onto Walnut Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Walnut Street
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4
Turn left
95.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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5
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 36 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
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14
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
3.3 mi · 4 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
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18
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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19
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
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20
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
1036 ft · 28 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest Jefferson Street
58 m · 4 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
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23
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thayer 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.
Longest stretch
Turn left
95.3 mi · 01h 55m
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 then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Thayer and 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 Thayer to Lee's Summit?
The road trip is about 288.6 miles (464.5 km) and usually takes 04h 41m 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?
Springfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.8 miles from Thayer and 146.8 miles from Lee's Summit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.6 miles (364.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 62 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 7:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.43 one way or $76.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Thayer and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lee's Summit.
Stop Ideas Near Springfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Willard City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Springfield.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thayer and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 226.57 mi (364.63 km).
#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: 465 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.43 | $76.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.42 | $94.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.05 | $108.10 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.