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

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

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

171.4 mi

276 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

natural light display that occurs in the sky, primarily at high latitudes (near the Arctic and Antarctic on Earth) or even on other planets

Aurora, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 171.4-mile journey from Lee's Summit, MO, to Aurora, MO, is a straightforward, single-day trip, taking about 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. You'll navigate local roads for the entirety of this drive, with no highway sections, making it a more connected experience through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, it's an economical option for a short getaway. This route is best suited for a single day, allowing you to enjoy the local scenery without the need for an overnight stop.

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

85.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 113.6 mi 2h 1m
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway 28.2 mi 30m
MO 291 16.9 mi 24m
MO 39 10.5 mi 15m
Southwest Jefferson Street 0.5 mi <1m
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway 0.3 mi <1m
South Elliott Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Cantrell Road 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 113.6 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
2

Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
3

Enter roundabout

251 ft · 5 sec
4

Continue

367 ft · 9 sec
5

Continue on MO 291

17 mi · 24 min · MO 291
6

Continue on Cantrell Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Cantrell Road
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
8

Merge onto I 49; US 71

114 mi · 2 hr 1 min · I 49; US 71
9

Continue on MO 59

0.3 mi · 23 sec · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
Exit 46A Toward MO 59 South: Diamond
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 46B Toward I 44 East: Springfield
11

Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71

28 mi · 30 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 46 Toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora
13

Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265

10 mi · 15 min · MO 39; MO 265
14

Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265

0.3 mi · 25 sec · South Elliott Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

MO 39; MO 265

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 16-minute duration, departing Lee's Summit in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Aurora. You'll want to plan for at least one stop along the way, as the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, suggesting a need for breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since this is a completely local road drive, and services might be less frequent than on major highways. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra budgeted for unexpected detours or longer-than-anticipated stops.

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 85.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 38 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.7 miles or 1h 39m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit, MO

This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Lee's Summit, 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 I 49 for about 113.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Nevada, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nevada, MO

86 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

Garden City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 160.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Jefferson Street

Turn right onto Southwest Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
17.7 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

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

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
131.8 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 44 East: Springfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 46B Toward I 44 East: Springfield
6
160.3 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in

Take the exit toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora

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

Exit 46 Toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vern...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.80 one way

$53.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.42 $58.84
premium $4.89 $32.98 $65.97
diesel $5.61 $37.84 $75.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.4 0 $18.00 $8.23
Efficient EV 42.9 0 $15.00 $6.86
EV Truck/SUV 68.6 0 $24.00 $10.97

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Late night in Lee's Summit on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 21 mph 78% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 9:07AM CDT until April 23 at 1:23AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 9:07AM CDT until April 19 at 1:57PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO

Destination

Aurora, MO

Late night in Aurora on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Nevada, MO

86 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

10 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

3h 16m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument

National Monument

The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 130
View on nps.gov
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 171.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of high-speed travel; instead, plan for frequent turns and a more deliberate pace. The route unfolds as a series of local roads, connecting you directly to the communities you pass through. This driving personality means you'll be more engaged with the road and surroundings, rather than simply covering distance.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on I 49.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Southwest Jefferson Street.

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 3h 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 0.1 miles (Southwest Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 113.6 miles on I 49. 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 0.1 miles (Southwest Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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