Lee's Summit, MO to Bel-Nor, MO is 235.7 miles and takes about 4h 33m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that involves a good amount of local road navigation mixed with interstate travel. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a straightforward option for a quick journey between these two points 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
117.8 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
164.8 mi
3h 10m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 470
7 mi
8m
Southeast Douglas Street
2.2 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.1 mi
1m
North Hanley Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 164.8 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,861 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~342 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 Lee's Summit, MO and Bel-Nor, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
2
Continue on Southeast 3rd Street
358 ft·16 sec·Southeast 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto Southeast Douglas Street
2.2 mi·4 min·Southeast Douglas Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis
5
Merge onto I 470
7.0 mi·8 min·I 470
Toward I 470 North: Saint Louis
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 16BToward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' 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
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
110 mi·2 hr 12 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 239Toward North Hanley RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto North Hanley Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Hanley Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto MO 115
0.4 mi·36 sec·Natural Bridge Road
18
Turn right onto Clearview Drive
0.1 mi·25 sec·Clearview Drive
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Hatherly Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·Hatherly Drive
20
Continue on Hatherly Drive
169 ft·7 sec·Hatherly Drive
21
Turn right onto Audrain Drive
165 ft·7 sec·Audrain Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Audrain Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 33m duration, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Bel-Nor before evening, especially since it's a one-day trip. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a brief break midway or closer to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and it's wise to top off before embarking on the 164.8-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means staying attentive to navigation is key.
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 117.8 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.8 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bel-Nor, 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 235.7 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 164.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 235.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis
7
9.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
234 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward North Hanley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 239
Toward North Hanley Road
6
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|North Hanley Road
Turn right onto North Hanley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
235.4 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|Hatherly Drive
Keep slight left at fork onto Hatherly Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.19 one way
$78.37 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$42.69
$85.37
premium
$5.18
$48.10
$96.19
diesel
$5.35
$49.65
$99.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.31
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.08
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon
in Lee's Summit on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 8:22PM CDT until June 3 at 9:24PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Bel-Nor, MO
Afternoon
in Bel-Nor on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
E 7 to 12 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 8:22PM CDT until June 3 at 9:24PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
69°F
Pierpont, MO
118 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 33m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$19
near mile 235.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with highway segments making up about 3 out of 10 miles. You'll experience a mix of faster highway driving and more intricate local roads, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 164.8 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a significant portion of the drive will be on a primary highway before transitioning to more localized routes as you approach your destination.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.8 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 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 235.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 33m. Total distance: 235.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Bel-Nor, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bel-Nor, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
