This 165.6-mile journey from Billings, MO, to Lee's Summit, MO, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. You'll navigate primarily through local roads and a section of I-44 East, with a fuel cost estimated at $25. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and stop times. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward transition between two Missouri communities. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
82.3 miles from Billings, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.3 mi
1h 43m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
Northeast Elm Street
8.9 mi
13m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
MO 291
8.3 mi
12m
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
7.2 mi
7m
MO MM
3.9 mi
6m
Southwest Jefferson Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on this road
140 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MO 14
199 ft·5 sec·Northwest Jefferson Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 60; MO 413
8.9 mi·13 min·Northeast Elm Street
4
Turn left onto MO MM
3.9 mi·6 min·MO MM
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
6
Merge onto I 44
7.2 mi·7 min·Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: BolivarUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
187 ft·5 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: BolivarUse the left lane.
9
Continue on MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 43 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
11
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
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
13
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
14
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
15
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
16
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft·3 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
18
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
19
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3 hours, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can depart anytime, but consider an early start to maximize your time in Lee's Summit. The total fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Billings. Since this is a single-day trip with a recommended one stop, plan for a brief pause about halfway through, perhaps around the 80-mile mark, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Pay close attention to your navigation, especially when transitioning from local roads to I-44 East, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive requires constant awareness.
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 82.3 miles from Billings, MO, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 41m 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 41m
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 Billings, 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 Billings, MO
This is one driving day of about 164.6 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Billings, 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 87.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
20.2 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
9
20.3 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
5
143.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
6
147 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
$25.73 one way
$51.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.25
$56.51
premium
$4.89
$31.68
$63.35
diesel
$5.61
$36.34
$72.68
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: 57.6 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
49.4
0
$17.28
$7.90
Efficient EV
41.2
0
$14.40
$6.58
EV Truck/SUV
65.8
0
$23.04
$10.53
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 15, 2026
Origin
Billings, MO
Night
in Billings on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Night
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Warsaw, MO
82 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 165.6-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be experiencing a more connected-to-the-ground feel, likely passing through towns and varied landscapes rather than a continuous interstate experience. The absence of long highway stretches suggests a need for consistent attention to navigation as you transition between local roads like Northwest Jefferson Avenue and Northeast Elm Street, and the brief use of I-44 East. The drive's personality is defined by its frequent directional changes, making it engaging rather than monotonous.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 164.6 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: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.3 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: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
