Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Night in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Berkeley, 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 32m
Distance
235.2 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Berkeley, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
Lee's Summit, MO to Berkeley, MO is 235.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward journey through familiar terrain. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that it's a single-day drive, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning. The drive is mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a predictable and manageable trip for most drivers.
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
117.6 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 | 163.7 mi | 3h 9m |
| 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 |
| Inner Belt Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 163.7 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Berkeley, 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 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
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
109 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 238B
Toward I 170 North
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 170
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Inner Belt Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 9A
Toward Airport Road
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto Airport Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Airport Road
19
Turn left onto Evergreen Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Evergreen Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
Evergreen Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of around 4 hours and 32 minutes, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Consider starting your drive in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Berkeley, MO. The estimated fuel cost is $37, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or plan for one fuel stop along the way. Given the 'turn-heavy' profile, staying alert and using navigation is key. The single recommended stop is a good opportunity for a quick break and to refuel if needed.
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 117.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.7 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berkeley, 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 235.2 miles and 4h 32m.
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 163.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.7 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 234.4 — 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
4
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 470
Merge onto I 470 toward I 470 North: Saint Louis
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward I 470 North: 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
233 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 170 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 238B
Toward I 170 North
7
234.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward Airport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward Airport Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.77 one way
$73.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.37 | $80.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.26 | $90.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.93 | $103.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.70 | $11.29 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.93 | $15.05 |
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.
Destination
Berkeley, MO
Night in Berkeley on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, 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
4 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 32m 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?
This drive leans towards a 'turn-heavy local drive' feel, with about 33% of the journey on interstates like I-470. You'll encounter stretches that feel more like navigating through towns and cities, interspersed with periods on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted highway segment spans 163.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a solid block of faster travel. Expect a mix of speeds and road types, requiring your attention to be on navigating turns and varying traffic conditions.
Only 3% 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: 163.7 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 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 235.2 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 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles (I 470): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 235.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.7 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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.
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 Berkeley, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles (I 470): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 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 Berkeley, 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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