Connecting Bowling Green to Lee's Summit, this 205.5-mile journey across Missouri takes approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will traverse the Midwest, utilizing a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $31 for fuel is a safe estimate for your transit across the state. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the trip offers a straightforward path between these two Missouri locales.
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
102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
72.9 mi
1h 22m
US 54
60.1 mi
1h 16m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
MO 291
2.5 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 61 Business
0.6 mi·57 sec·North 9th Street
3
Turn left
1.5 mi·2 min
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 54
9.6 mi·12 min·US 54
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 54
14 mi·19 min·US 54
6
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
241 ft·3 sec·US 54; MO 19
7
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi·11 min·US 54; MO 19
8
Enter roundabout onto US 54
62 ft·0 sec·US 54
9
Continue on US 54
10 mi·13 min·US 54
10
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi·20 min·US 54
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
12
Merge onto I 70; US 40
19 mi·23 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
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.
20
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
21
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.
22
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
23
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 4-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best, though avoiding peak traffic hours near Lee's Summit is always a smart move. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 72.9-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as service availability can fluctuate. By pacing yourself with that single planned break, you can easily maintain your energy levels for the remainder of the drive. This straightforward route offers plenty of convenience, so keep your travel plans simple and enjoy the steady pace of your journey.
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 102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 19m
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 Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Bowling Green, 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 72.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 201.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 61 Business / North 9th Street
Turn right onto US 61 Business / North 9th Street
Navigation decision point
5
44.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|US 54
Turn left onto US 54 toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
195.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
201.8 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.13 one way
$64.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.27
$70.55
premium
$4.89
$39.55
$79.09
diesel
$5.61
$45.37
$90.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Bowling Green, MO
Late night
in Bowling Green on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
New Franklin, MO
103 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
2 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 4m 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?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 205.5-mile trek. With a highway share of 34%, the route balances faster interstate speeds with more localized road travel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which spans 72.9 miles of the total distance. This variation keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind, as the road conditions shift between major thoroughfares and secondary highways. You should be prepared for a changing pace that keeps you engaged behind the wheel throughout the four-hour journey.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 61 Business / North 9th Street.
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 205.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.4 miles (US 61 Business / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 0.4 miles (US 61 Business / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
