Barnhart, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is 256.2 miles and takes about 4h 58m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll have ample time to reach your destination comfortably.
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
128.1 miles from Barnhart, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
I 55
9.6 mi
10m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
MO 291
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,549 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,000
Quietest
1 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 Barnhart, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on East Street
314 ft·15 sec·East Street
2
Turn right onto Willing Street
133 ft·10 sec·Willing Street
3
Turn left onto East Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Street
4
Turn left onto US 61; US 67
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 61; US 67
5
Turn left onto MO M
0.6 mi·1 min·MO M
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
7
Merge onto I 55
9.6 mi·10 min·I 55
8
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
12
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
16
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
26
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
27
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
2.5 mi·4 min·MO 291
Exit 10BToward MO 291 South: HarrisonvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
29
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
30
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 58m estimated duration, leaving Barnhart, MO in the morning should allow you to arrive in Lee's Summit, MO with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one recommended stop, and since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $45, and plan to refuel before you get too low, especially when transitioning from highway to surface roads. The longest stretch without a major road change is 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, so factor that into your stop planning if you prefer shorter driving segments.
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 128.1 miles from Barnhart, MO, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 35m 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 4m
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 Barnhart, 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 Barnhart, MO
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Barnhart, 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 Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 80.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 50.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
12.5 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
24.8 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
24.9 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
50.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.83 one way
$75.67 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.77
$83.54
premium
$4.72
$47.57
$95.14
diesel
$4.80
$48.38
$96.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.90
$12.30
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.42
$10.25
EV Truck/SUV
102.5
1
$35.87
$16.40
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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
Barnhart, MO
Late night
in Barnhart on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
W 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis 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
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
4h 58m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$19
near mile 17.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 12% of the drive on highways. You'll experience about 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway before transitioning to surface streets. Be prepared for frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you navigate through towns and rural areas.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 256.2 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 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,039 ft438 ft
Total Climb
1,042 ft
Total Descent
441 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~256.2 mi in
Elevation Range
601 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Barnhart, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
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 4h 58m. Total distance: 256.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
