Castor, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is 376.2 miles and takes about 7 hours 22 minutes via I 55 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you across the Midwest region. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, it's a practical choice for moving between these two points in the state without needing an overnight stay.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.1 miles from Castor, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
102.9 mi
1h 50m
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
MO 25
15.8 mi
23m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 102.9 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,952 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,444
Quietest
1 AM
~261 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
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 Castor, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on County Road 640
1.7 mi·6 min·County Road 640
2
At end of road, turn left onto MO BB
1.5 mi·2 min·MO BB
3
At end of road, turn right onto MO C
2.7 mi·4 min·MO C
4
Continue on MO 91
0.3 mi·34 sec·MO 91
5
At end of road, turn left onto MO 25
16 mi·23 min·MO 25
6
Enter roundabout onto MO AB
196 ft·3 sec·MO AB
Toward Interstate 55
7
Continue on MO AB
5.7 mi·8 min·MO AB
Toward Interstate 55
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Cape Girardeau
9
Merge onto I 55; US 61
1.4 mi·1 min·I 55; US 61
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
11
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
15
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
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.
29
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
30
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.
31
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
32
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
33
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 22 minute duration, leaving Castor in the morning is advisable to reach Lee's Summit with daylight to spare. You'll have about 2 planned stops, which should help break up the 376.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the primary highway sections, as services might be less frequent on surface roads. The estimated fuel cost is $66, so factor that into your budget. This is a manageable one-day drive, allowing for some flexibility in your timing.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.1 miles from Castor, MO, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.9 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 83 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.1 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 13m
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 Castor, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Castor, MO
This is one driving day of about 376.2 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Castor, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 102.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 132.3 and 170.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
132.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
144.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
144.9 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
170.9 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
$55.56 one way
$111.11 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$61.33
$122.66
premium
$4.72
$69.85
$139.70
diesel
$4.80
$71.03
$142.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.9
1
$39.50
$18.06
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.92
$15.05
EV Truck/SUV
150.5
1
$52.67
$24.08
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Castor, MO
Evening
in Castor on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 1 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Evening
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog
SSW 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Chesterfield, MO
188 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
1 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
7h 22m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 90.8
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
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 142.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 37% of this 376.2-mile route is on highways, with the longest stretch covering 102.9 miles on I 55. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the drive. Expect a mix of faster cruising on interstates and potentially more local traffic and intersections as you approach your destination. The profile suggests a blend of efficient travel and more typical road conditions.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 132.3 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 20 significant decision points across 376.2 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 132.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 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 ft334 ft
Total Climb
1,002 ft
Total Descent
314 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~376.2 mi in
Elevation Range
704 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Castor, MO and Lee's Summit, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
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 7h 22m. Total distance: 376.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 132.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lee's Summit, MO before the return drive.
