Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Bolivar, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
119.2 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
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
Bolivar, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 119.2-mile journey from Lee's Summit, MO, to Bolivar, MO, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. The route primarily utilizes MO 7, MO 13, and MO 291, offering a largely highway-focused experience with 97% of the drive on these main roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this trip is an economical option for exploring the Midwest. It's a practical drive that gets you to your destination efficiently, ideal for those who prefer to reach their endpoint 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.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| MO 13 | 40.5 mi | 46m |
| MO 291 | 16.9 mi | 24m |
| I 49 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Broadway Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Jefferson Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Cantrell Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 55.6 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Bolivar, 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
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 49; US 71
9
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
MO 7
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
10
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
MO 7
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on MO 13
40 mi
·
46 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Play
13
Turn left onto MO 32; MO 13 Business
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Broadway Street
14
Arrive at destination
MO 32
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 25-minute duration for this 119.2-mile trip, you can easily complete it in one day. Aim to depart Lee's Summit in the morning to maximize your time in Bolivar. The longest stretch of continuous driving is 55.6 miles on MO 7, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer not to drive that far without a break. With a fuel cost estimated at just $19, it's a budget-friendly drive, but always check your fuel levels before heading out, especially before embarking on that longer section on MO 7.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolivar, 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 119.2 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lee's Summit, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MO 7 for about 55.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 116.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
5
20.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
5
20.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
MO 7
Turn slight left onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
5
116.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Play
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 13 Business, MO 32: Bolivar, Fair Pla...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.46 | $40.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.94 | $45.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Bolivar, MO
Late night in Bolivar on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Garden City, MO
60 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
16 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
2h 25m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric drive for the vast majority of this 119.2-mile trip, with 97% of the route on main roads like MO 7, MO 13, and MO 291. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 55.6 miles on MO 7, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes forward momentum over frequent changes in scenery or road type, making it a predictable and efficient way to cover ground between Lee's Summit and Bolivar.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.6 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 13. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 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; at 20.8 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.6 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.6 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; at 20.8 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bolivar, MO before heading back.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bolivar, MO
Explore more options from Lee's Summit, MO or browse trips ending in Bolivar, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.