Origin
Ava, MO
Late night in Ava on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ava, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
209.5 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ava, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ava, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is 209.5 miles and takes about 4h 15m via North Kansas Expressway, MO 7, and US 60, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that should feel familiar to most drivers. Given the relatively short duration, this is an ideal route for a single-day trip, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
104.8 miles from Ava, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| MO 7 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| US 60 | 37.8 mi | 44m |
| MO 5 | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 291 | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| Payne Stewart Highway | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ava, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on MO 5 Business
171 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto West Lincoln Avenue
254 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Lincoln Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Lister Street
238 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Lister Street
4
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
263 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Washington Avenue
5
Turn left onto MO 14; MO 5 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jefferson Street
6
Enter roundabout onto Springfield Road
75 ft
·
1 sec
·
Springfield Road
7
Continue on Springfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
8
Turn right onto MO 5; MO 76
12 mi
·
17 min
·
MO 5; MO 76
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 60 West: Springfield
10
Merge onto US 60
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 60
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
12
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
14
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
16
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
17
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
18
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
20
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
22
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
23
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
24
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
25
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
26
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
27
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
28
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 15m drive, consider an early morning departure from Ava, MO, to maximize your daylight hours in Lee's Summit, MO. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the 209.5 miles at your convenience, perhaps around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without major towns could be over 87 miles. Your estimated fuel cost is around $33, so plan accordingly before you leave the Ava 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 104.8 miles from Ava, MO, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Ava, 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 Ava, MO
This is one driving day of about 209.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Ava, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.8 miles from Ava, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Kansas Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 191.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Lister Street
Turn right onto South Lister Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Washington Avenue
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
6
191.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.75 one way
$65.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.96 | $71.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.32 | $80.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.25 | $92.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $22.00 | $10.06 |
| Efficient EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.33 | $8.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.8 | 1 | $29.33 | $13.41 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 21 mph
78% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 9:07AM CDT until April 23 at 1:23AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 9:07AM CDT until April 20 at 11:26AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
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
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 96% of the drive being on major roads. You'll encounter stretches of North Kansas Expressway, MO 7, and US 60, making for a generally fast-paced journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 87.2 miles, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the transitions between these main roads are seamless, maintaining a consistent driving profile throughout.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lister Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 209.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Lister Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 209.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on North Kansas Expressway. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Lister Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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