How far is Willow Springs, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?

The driving distance from Willow Springs, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 186.7 miles (300.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m 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
236.66 mi
03h 46m
Flight
186.65 mi
300.39 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Willow Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
186.65 mi
Kilometers
300.39 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
236.66 mi
Kilometers
380.86 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lee's Summit
Mon, Jun 1, 5:26 PM CDT
Return by in Willow Springs
Mon, Jun 1, 9:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Willow Springs
2026-06-01T13:39
Arrive Lee's Summit
Mon, Jun 1, 5:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 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
9:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Willow Springs
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
Bolivar
MO

State of Venezuela

From Willow Springs
118.2 mi
01h 53m
To Lee's Summit
118.4 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W
Destination
88°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Willow Springs and Lee's Summit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Willow Springs and Lee's Summit.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    2 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right

    1522 ft · 37 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    76.6 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia

    1511 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin

    1.3 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar

    596 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar

    46 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar

    64 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway

    87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    35.9 mi · 39 min

  13. 13

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

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

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

    817 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

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

    74 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 12 min

  17. 17

    Turn slight left

    8.5 mi · 12 min

  18. 18

    Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street

    1036 ft · 28 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest Jefferson Street

    58 m · 4 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street

    2497 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    529 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Willow Springs and Lee's Summit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
5 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Kansas Expressway
123 mi · 52%
East Main Street
78.8 mi · 33%
MO 291 North
8.53 mi · 4%
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.06 mi · 3%
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 2%
I 49 North
3.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Kansas Expressway

Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway

87.2 mi · 01h 43m

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 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50 mi
186.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bolivar
01h 53m from Willow Springs
Leave By
9:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Willow Springs and 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 Willow Springs to Lee's Summit?

The road trip is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Bolivar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.2 miles from Willow Springs and 118.4 miles from Lee's Summit.

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

The direct path is about 186.7 miles (300.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 50 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 9:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.49 one way or $62.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Willow Springs and Sunny near Lee's Summit.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Willow Springs and Lee's Summit. Straight-line distance: 186.65 mi (300.39 km).

Willow Springs

#1 Willow Springs

City in Howell County, Missouri, United States

Population2,098
Coordinates36.9922800, -91.9698700
Altitude387
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 Main Street (-91.969849, 36.992299)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-94.382168, 38.910873)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 381 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.35 gal
31.61 L · about $31.49
Round trip
$62.98
16.7 gal · 63.22 L
Estimated CO2
74.2 kg one way
Round trip: 148.4 kg / 327 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.49 $62.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.51 $71.03
Premium $4.65 $38.86 $77.72
Diesel $5.30 $44.29 $88.58

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Willow Springs and Lee's Summit. The current time is 13:39:19.

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.