Spanning 166.7 miles, this route from Anderson to Lee’s Summit is a straightforward journey through the Missouri Midwest. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for about $25 in fuel costs for the trip. By utilizing East Jefferson Street, Highway 59, and I-49 North, you transition from the southern reaches of the state toward the suburban landscape near Kansas City. It is a practical trek that balances local road navigation with the efficiency of the interstate system, perfect for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.2 miles from Anderson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on East Street
102 ft·4 sec·East Street
2
Continue on East Jefferson Street
465 ft·22 sec·East Jefferson Street
3
Turn right onto MO 59; MO 76
0.5 mi·52 sec·South State Highway 59
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 71 Business; MO 59
4.8 mi·6 min·US 71 Business; MO 59
5
Take the ramp onto US 71 Business
0.3 mi·17 sec·US 71 Business
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Joplin
6
Merge onto I 49; US 71
2.4 mi·2 min·Corporal Bobbie J. Harper Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.8 mi·6 min·James B. Tatum Highway
8
Continue on I 49; US 71
6.0 mi·6 min·Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 49; US 71
9.0 mi·9 min·Purple Heart Trail
10
Continue on MO 249
6.2 mi·6 min·Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
Exit 39B
11
Merge onto I 49 Business; MO 171
6.6 mi·7 min·Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
12
Continue on MO 96; MO 571
452 ft·15 sec·West Central Avenue
Toward MO 96 East, MO 571 South: Carthage
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas CityUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 49; US 71
3.2 mi·3 min·George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 49; US 71
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
18
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
19
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
20
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
21
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
22
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft·3 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
23
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
24
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the 166.7-mile journey. Given that the route involves navigating local roads like Highway 59 before hitting the interstate, try to avoid traveling during peak local traffic hours to keep your transit smooth. Budgeting $25 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keeping a little extra set aside for local fluctuations is always a wise move. Because the drive is relatively short, prioritize comfort over speed and enjoy the transition from the rural Midwest to the Lee's Summit area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.2 miles from Anderson, MO, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anderson, MO
This is one driving day of about 166.3 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Anderson, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 101.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 165.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.4 mi into trip|~7m in|US 71 Business
Take the ramp onto US 71 Business toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Joplin
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Joplin
8
41.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Turn left toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
148.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
148.7 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
5
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|Southwest Jefferson Street
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.00 one way
$52.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.55
$57.09
premium
$4.89
$32.00
$64.01
diesel
$5.61
$36.72
$73.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.46
$7.98
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.55
$6.65
EV Truck/SUV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Anderson, MO
Late night
in Anderson on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Nevada, MO
83 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate the initial portions of the trip away from Anderson. The character of the road shifts significantly once you transition from local surface streets onto I-49 North. While the first leg requires your full attention on winding local paths, the latter half offers a more consistent interstate experience. Because the highway share is 0% for the initial segment, you will experience a variety of driving conditions rather than a monotonous grind. Stay alert as you transition between these different road types, as the shift from local lanes to the major interstate changes the pace of your drive entirely.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 71 Business.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 71 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 166.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 71 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
