This 229.8-mile journey from Ellisville, MO, to Lee's Summit, MO, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Expect a fuel cost around $36 for this drive, which primarily utilizes major highways like the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 80.7 miles, it offers a relatively straightforward drive through the Midwest. The route's turn-heavy local drive profile suggests you'll experience a mix of highway and town driving, making it a practical option for a day trip.
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
114.9 miles from Ellisville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
19.2 mi
23m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
Clarkson Road
4.6 mi
8m
MO 291
2.5 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,930 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,487
Quietest
1 AM
~260 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Ellisville, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on MO 100
335 ft·14 sec·Manchester Road
2
Turn left onto MO 340
4.6 mi·8 min·Clarkson Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MO 340
483 ft·16 sec·Olive Boulevard
4
Turn left onto North Outer 40
0.4 mi·58 sec·North Outer 40
5
Take the ramp
457 ft·11 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
19 mi·23 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
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.
16
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
17
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.
18
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
19
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of under 5 hours, this 229.8-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Ellisville, MO, in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel as the route has a projected cost of $36, and while there's only one recommended stop, it's wise to refuel before embarking if your tank is low. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert for changes in speed limits and road configurations as you get closer to Lee's Summit.
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 114.9 miles from Ellisville, MO, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 39m
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 Ellisville, 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 Ellisville, MO
This is one driving day of about 229.8 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Ellisville, 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 80.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 226.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 340 / Clarkson Road
Turn left onto MO 340 / Clarkson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
24.4 mi into trip|~33m 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
8
219.4 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
$38.33 one way
$76.67 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$41.83
$83.65
premium
$5.25
$47.53
$95.05
diesel
$6.28
$56.78
$113.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.13
$11.03
Efficient EV
57.5
0
$20.11
$9.19
EV Truck/SUV
91.9
1
$32.17
$14.71
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ellisville, MO
Morning
in Ellisville on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Morning
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Centralia, MO
115 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
20 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 28m 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.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is defined by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you won't be on a monotonous interstate for the entire 229.8 miles. While 4% of the route is on major highways like the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, expect frequent transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 80.7 miles, offering a good period of consistent driving before you navigate more local roads. This varied landscape means you'll experience different driving conditions as you progress toward Lee's Summit.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MO 340 / Clarkson Road.
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 229.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4h 28m. Total distance: 229.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. 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 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
