If you are planning to head from Camdenton to Lee's Summit, expect a straightforward journey covering 134.6 miles through the heart of Missouri. You should budget about 2 hours and 59 minutes of travel time, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost estimate of around $20, it is an affordable route for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute. You will spend almost the entire trip on highways, keeping the navigation relatively simple. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, the drive offers a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two Missouri communities.
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
67.3 miles from Camdenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
108.1 mi
2h 21m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
MO 291
8.3 mi
12m
MO 5
7.7 mi
9m
US 54
0.8 mi
1m
Southwest Jefferson Street
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 108.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camdenton, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on US 54
0.8 mi·1 min·US 54
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise BeachUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
7.7 mi·9 min·MO 5; MO 7
4
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi·53 min·MO 7
5
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi·33 sec·MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
6
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi·38 min·MO 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi·44 min·MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
8
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
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
10
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
11
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
12
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
13
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
14
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street
189 ft·3 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
15
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
16
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive takes just under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to leave in the morning or early afternoon without feeling rushed. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the drive, which is helpful for keeping fatigue at bay during the long 108.1-mile stretch on MO 7. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you depart, as the $20 estimate assumes a standard vehicle's efficiency, but local conditions can always vary. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on highways, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic near Lee's Summit. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will make the three-hour duration feel much more manageable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.3 miles from Camdenton, MO, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.1 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 30 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 25m
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 Camdenton, 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 Camdenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 134.6 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Camdenton, 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 MO 7 for about 108.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 116.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
5
46 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
5
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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...
5
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
$21.04 one way
$42.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.10
$46.21
premium
$4.89
$25.90
$51.81
diesel
$5.61
$29.72
$59.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.4
0
$14.13
$6.46
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.78
$5.38
EV Truck/SUV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Camdenton, MO
Late night
in Camdenton on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:36AM CDT until April 19 at 2:31PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 2:43AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
80°F
Warsaw, MO
67 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
35 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
2h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your time spent on main thoroughfares like MO 7, MO 58, and MO 291. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm for the majority of the journey, as your longest stretch covers 108.1 miles on MO 7 alone. While the route is efficient, be prepared for the steady pace that comes with high-speed highway travel. The transition between these roads is designed for steady progress, allowing you to cover the distance without needing to navigate complex local backroads. It is a functional, reliable stretch of pavement that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvering.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.1 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 58. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 134.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,053 ft733 ft
Total Climb
813 ft
Total Descent
818 ft
Highest Point
1,053 ft
~22.4 mi in
Elevation Range
320 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 Camdenton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Clinton along the way.
Clinton
46 mi in|~1h 5m|via MO 7
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 134.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.1 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lee's Summit, MO before heading back.
