Athens, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is 263 miles and takes about 5h 43m via I 35 and State Highway 2, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, entirely in Missouri. Given its predominantly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. Plan for a relatively efficient transit between these two points, with most of your time spent on major roadways. You'll encounter a single designated stop on the route, making it easy to plan your breaks.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.5 miles from Athens, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
113.4 mi
2h 1m
State Highway 2
62.4 mi
1h 32m
East Main Street
33.5 mi
48m
West State Highway 2
14 mi
20m
I 435
9.5 mi
11m
Blue Parkway
8.2 mi
12m
MO CC
4 mi
9m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 113.4 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,288 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,653
Quietest
2 AM
~123 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on MO CC
1.5 mi·3 min·MO CC
2
Turn slight left onto MO CC
2.5 mi·6 min·MO CC
3
Turn right onto MO 81
2.6 mi·3 min·MO 81
4
Continue on IA 81
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 81
5
At end of road, turn left onto IA 2
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 2
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 2
19 mi·28 min·State Highway 2
7
Continue on IA 2
1.8 mi·2 min·East Highway 2
8
Continue on IA 2
5.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 2
9
Continue on IA 2
33 mi·47 min·East Main Street
10
Continue on IA 2
1.3 mi·1 min·East Maple Street
11
Turn slight right onto IA 2
14 mi·20 min·West State Highway 2
12
Continue on IA 2
0.5 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
13
Continue on IA 2
8.3 mi·12 min·State Highway 2
14
Continue on IA 2
1.1 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
15
Continue on IA 2
22 mi·32 min·State Highway 2
16
Continue on IA 2
1.3 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
17
Continue on IA 2
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 2
18
Continue on IA 2
0.7 mi·1 min·Vine Street
19
Continue on IA 2
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 2
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
21
Merge onto I 35
113 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 35
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
23
Merge onto I 435
9.5 mi·11 min·I 435
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435
3.5 mi·4 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 66Toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's SummitUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto MO 350
8.2 mi·12 min·Blue Parkway
27
Continue on US 50
1.4 mi·1 min·US 50
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Southwest 3rd Street
29
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest 3rd Street
30
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 5 hour and 43 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can decide if you prefer to break it up into two shorter segments or push through. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Athens. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 35 to State Highway 2, as this marks a shift in the driving environment. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in timing your departure and any brief pauses.
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 131.5 miles from Athens, MO, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.4 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 58 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
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 Athens, 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 Athens, MO
This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Athens, 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 I 35 for about 113.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 252.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.8 mi into trip|~16m in|IA 2 / State Highway 2
At end of road, turn left onto IA 2 / State Highway 2
Navigation decision point
4
13.2 mi into trip|~23m in|IA 2 / State Highway 2
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 2 / State Highway 2
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
238.6 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 12
Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
5
248.9 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway toward I 435 South: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
8
252.4 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 66
Toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.84 one way
$77.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.88
$85.75
premium
$4.72
$48.83
$97.66
diesel
$4.80
$49.66
$99.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.62
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.01
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Athens, MO
Late night
in Athens on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
SW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
66°F
Princeton, MO
132 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
1 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
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 82% of the 263 miles on major roads like I 35. The longest stretch without a significant break is 113.4 miles on I 35. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface streets like East Main Street as you approach your destination. Expect a good amount of highway mileage, so be prepared for typical interstate conditions and traffic patterns.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.4 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 2. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in near IA 2 / State Highway 2.
Driving Effort6/10
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 263 miles you will encounter 11 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 8.8 miles (IA 2 / State Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (IA 2 / State Highway 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 238.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Lee's Summit is a city in Missouri. It is the hometown of famous outlaw Cole Younger of the James-Younger Gang, and of Grammy Award-winning musician Pat Metheny.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 263 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.4 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lee's Summit, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (IA 2 / State Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (IA 2 / State Highway 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 238.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lee's Summit, MO before the return drive.
