If you are planning a trip from Cabool to Lee's Summit, Missouri, expect a straightforward journey spanning 225 miles. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 29 minutes of drive time, making this a manageable single-day excursion that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $34 on fuel for the trip. Navigating the route primarily involves the North Kansas Expressway, US 60, and MO 7, keeping you within the heart of the Midwest. Because the route is highway-focused, it serves as an efficient transit between these two Missouri locations, offering a practical way to connect your start and end points without unnecessary complexity.
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
112.5 miles from Cabool, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
US 60
66.6 mi
1h 17m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
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
Southwest Jefferson Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cabool, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.1 mi·20 sec·Ozark Street
3
Turn left onto MO 181
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Elm Street
4
Continue on MO 181
0.3 mi·36 sec·Peabody Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
6
Merge onto US 60
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 60
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
8
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
10
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
12
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
13
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
14
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
16
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
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
18
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
19
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
20
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
21
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
22
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft·3 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
23
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
24
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. While the route is short enough to tackle in one go, you should account for at least one planned stop to break up the journey and stay refreshed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local market prices. Given the highway-heavy nature of the trip, ensure your vehicle is prepared for sustained speeds, particularly during the 87.2-mile stretch on the North Kansas Expressway. Prioritizing a steady pace will help you navigate the 225 miles comfortably and arrive in Lee's Summit without feeling fatigued.
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 112.5 miles from Cabool, MO, or about 2h 14m 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.5 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
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 Cabool, 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 Cabool, MO
This is one driving day of about 225 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Cabool, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 207.3 — 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|US 60 Business / Ozark Street
Turn right onto US 60 Business / Ozark Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
7
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
6
207.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
$35.18 one way
$70.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.62
$77.24
premium
$4.89
$43.30
$86.60
diesel
$5.61
$49.68
$99.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.5
0
$23.63
$10.80
Efficient EV
56.3
0
$19.69
$9.00
EV Truck/SUV
90
1
$31.50
$14.40
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Cabool, MO
Late night
in Cabool on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 12 to 16 mph13% chanceLive forecast
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
14 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 29m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 69.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 225-mile trek is defined by its focus on efficiency, with 97% of the drive occurring on highways. You will experience a steady, highway-focused environment that allows for consistent travel speeds. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves an 87.2-mile stretch on the North Kansas Expressway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition between the North Kansas Expressway, US 60, and MO 7, the road maintains a predictable pace. Expect a functional drive that favors highway connectivity, ensuring you reach your destination in Lee's Summit with minimal deviation from major thoroughfares.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 Business / Ozark Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 225 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 (US 60 Business / Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 80.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,647 ft751 ft
Total Climb
677 ft
Total Descent
926 ft
Highest Point
1,647 ft
~48.2 mi in
Elevation Range
895 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 225 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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: near the start (US 60 Business / Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 80.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
