Lee's Summit, MO to Canton, MO is 246.4 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 24, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. With a high percentage of highway driving, this route is designed for efficient travel. It's a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points without extensive detours. Consider this route for a simple, one-day transit.
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
123.2 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
189.5 mi
3h 35m
US 24
17.1 mi
20m
Avenue of the Saints
13.4 mi
15m
I 435
11.6 mi
13m
Blue Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
US 50
1.7 mi
1m
I435 N
1.3 mi
1m
Washington Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 189.5 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,676 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,119
Quietest
1 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Canton, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Southwest 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 50 West: Raytown
3
Merge onto US 50
1.7 mi·1 min·US 50
4
Continue on MO 350
7.7 mi·11 min·Blue Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Toward I 435 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 435
11 mi·13 min·I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
8
Continue on I 435
0.1 mi·9 sec·I 435
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 52B I35Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit I35 NToward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
6.3 mi·7 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110
35 mi·37 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit onto MO 110
0.2 mi·33 sec·MO 110
Exit 54Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
14
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
149 mi·2 hr 51 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
0.5 mi·34 sec·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit onto US 24
0.3 mi·49 sec·US 24
Toward US 24 East: Palmyra
17
Turn left onto US 24
17 mi·20 min·US 24
18
Take the exit onto US 61
13 mi·15 min·Avenue of the Saints
19
Take the exit onto US 61 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 61 Business
20
Turn right onto US 61 Business
0.3 mi·36 sec·Oak Street
21
Continue on US 61 Business
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Monticello Road
22
Turn right onto US 61 Business
0.8 mi·2 min·Washington Street
23
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 49m drive, starting in the morning from Lee's Summit, MO, will give you plenty of daylight to reach Canton, MO. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $38, this trip is well-suited for a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 189.5 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point of that segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 123.2 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.5 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 23m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canton, 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 246.4 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 189.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.2 and 64.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North
5
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in|I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
23.5 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52B I35
Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
9
23.6 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit I35 N
Toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
6
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|MO 110
Take the exit onto MO 110 toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Camer...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.10 one way
$82.20 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.67
$89.34
premium
$5.26
$51.02
$102.03
diesel
$6.18
$59.94
$119.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.56
$9.86
EV Truck/SUV
98.6
1
$34.50
$15.77
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Morning
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SSW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Canton, MO
Morning
in Canton on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
82°F
New York, MO
123 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
1 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 49m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 246.4 miles on major roadways like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 24. You'll experience a long stretch of 189.5 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway before transitioning to other roads. Expect consistent cruising with fewer exits for a significant portion of the trip. The transition to surface roads will likely be noticeable after the main highway sections conclude.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.5 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 246.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,060 ft726 ft
Total Climb
333 ft
Total Descent
614 ft
Highest Point
1,060 ft
~52.8 mi in
Elevation Range
333 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lee's Summit, MO and Canton, MO, road signs point toward Des Moines and Hamilton.
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 49m. Total distance: 246.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.5 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Canton, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Canton, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
