Lee's Summit, MO to Gray Summit, MO is 224.2 miles and takes about 4h 25m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and MO 47, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With a driving time under five hours, this is a straightforward, one-day excursion. The route primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip within the state.
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
112.1 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
118.5 mi
2h 11m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
MO 47
23.4 mi
35m
MO 100
9.1 mi
12m
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
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 118.5 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,858 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,374
Quietest
1 AM
~258 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Gray Summit, 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
64 mi·1 hr 12 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 193Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
16
Turn right onto MO 47
23 mi·35 min·MO 47
17
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·East 5th Street
18
Turn right onto International Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·International Avenue
19
Turn left onto MO 100
9.1 mi·12 min·MO 100
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
21
Merge onto I 44; US 50
1.4 mi·1 min·I 44; US 50
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto MO 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
MO 100
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4h 25m drive time and 224.2-mile distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive with daylight to spare, and the $35 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. You'll have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops along the way. Since the majority of the route is on surface roads, keep an eye out for local speed limit changes and potential for slower traffic. Pay attention to signage for MO 47, as this will be a key surface road segment guiding you toward Gray Summit.
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 112.1 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h 4m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gray Summit, 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 224.2 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 118.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 223.4 — 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
6
187.7 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
6
221.8 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
8
223.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
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 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.40 one way
$74.80 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.65
$81.29
premium
$5.26
$46.42
$92.84
diesel
$6.18
$54.54
$109.08
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: 78.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.3
0
$23.54
$10.76
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.62
$8.97
EV Truck/SUV
89.7
1
$31.39
$14.35
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Morning
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Gray Summit, MO
Morning
in Gray Summit on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny
NW 10 to 14 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
56°F
Centralia, MO
112 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
3 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 25m 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 route is mostly surface roads, with only 18% on highways. You'll spend most of your time on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and other state routes, cruising at more moderate speeds. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 118.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect to encounter more intersections and local traffic as you transition away from limited-access roads. The profile suggests a driving experience with fewer exits and more opportunities to observe the landscape directly.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.5 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 14 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 224.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 187.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft488 ft
Total Climb
562 ft
Total Descent
928 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
Elevation Range
550 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Gray Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Hawk Point along the way.
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.
St. Louis Area is the region around St. Louis, Missouri. It borders St. Louis Metro East (Illinois) along the Mississippi River. Within Missouri, it borders Southeast Missouri, Central Missouri, and Northeast Missouri.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 224.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.5 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 Gray Summit, 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 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Gray Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
