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Trip from Cuba, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 16m

Distance

202.7 mi

326 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 3m ★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Cuba, MO, MO

Cuba, MO

Eduardo Valdes

city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 202.7-mile drive from Cuba, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 16 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 50, with some time on US 63 and I-44, making it a 93% highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $32, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration and the nature of the roads, it's perfectly suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

101.4 miles from Cuba, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 100.1 mi 2h 6m
US 63 76.1 mi 1h 35m
I 44 12.3 mi 13m
North Jefferson Street 12.2 mi 18m
North Franklin Street 0.8 mi 1m
Southwest Jefferson Street 0.5 mi <1m
MO 291 0.1 mi <1m
Southwest 3rd Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 100.1 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cuba, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.

1

Start on MO 19

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 44 West: Rolla
3

Merge onto I 44

12 mi · 13 min · I 44
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 195 Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
5

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 68

12 mi · 18 min · North Jefferson Street
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 63

76 mi · 1 hr 35 min · US 63
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 50

100 mi · 2 hr 6 min · US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto MO 291

0.1 mi · 18 sec · MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
9

Keep slight right at fork

472 ft · 12 sec
10

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street

102 ft · 2 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
11

Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
12

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
13

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 16-minute drive, starting in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one suggested stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition between major roads. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush, but remember that your fuel cost is estimated at $32, so be prepared for that expense.

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 101.4 miles from Cuba, MO, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.1 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 45 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.4 miles or 2h 8m 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 29m

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 Cuba, 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 Cuba, MO

This is one driving day of about 202.7 miles and 4h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Cuba, 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 US 50 for about 100.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

capital city of Missouri, United States and county seat of Cole County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jefferson City, MO

101 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Jefferson City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

California, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.4 miles from Cuba, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Charge Pro Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18888074522

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18889982546

Noodoe Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 72.4

Jefferson City, Missouri

+19094681118

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 202.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 44 West: Rolla

Navigation decision point

Toward I 44 West: Rolla
6
13.3 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 195 Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
6
25.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 63

At end of road, turn right onto US 63

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
201.9 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrison...
6
202.2 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in | Southwest Jefferson Street

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Jefferson Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.69 one way

$63.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.79 $69.59
premium $4.89 $39.01 $78.02
diesel $5.61 $44.75 $89.51

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: 70.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.8 0 $21.28 $9.73
Efficient EV 50.7 0 $17.74 $8.11
EV Truck/SUV 81.1 1 $28.38 $12.97

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Cuba, MO

Night in Cuba on Saturday

Local time

11:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lee's Summit, MO

Night in Lee's Summit on Saturday

Local time

11:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live 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

2 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 16m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that's largely defined by its highway focus, with 93% of the journey on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.1 miles along US 50. While much of this trip will feel like a consistent highway cruise, the transition between US 50, US 63, and I-44 means you'll experience shifts in road character. This route is designed for steady progress, prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads, making it ideal for covering distance quickly.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.1 mi on US 50.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and US 63. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 202.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.1 miles on US 50. 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 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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