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Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Liberty, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

147.2 mi

237 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Clay County, Missouri, United States

Liberty, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 147.2-mile drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Liberty, MO is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 12 minutes. Given its manageable duration and a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to book an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes US 50 and US 54, with MO 291 also playing a role, keeping you on well-traveled roads for most of the way. You'll remain within the Midwest region throughout this trip, experiencing a familiar stretch of American landscape. This option is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 119.4 mi 2h 28m
US 54 11.3 mi 12m
MO 291 6.6 mi 8m
MO PP 4 mi 9m
County Road 436 3.8 mi 9m
MO BB 0.5 mi 1m
Southwest Jefferson Street 0.5 mi <1m
US 63 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 119.4 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Liberty, 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

0.1 mi · 15 sec
5

Take the exit onto MO 291

6.6 mi · 8 min · MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
6

Continue on US 50

119 mi · 2 hr 28 min · US 50
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 54, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia, Lake of the Ozarks
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63

309 ft · 14 sec · US 63
9

Turn left

340 ft · 8 sec
10

Continue on US 63

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 63
11

Merge onto US 54; US 63

11 mi · 12 min · US 54; US 63
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward MO J: New Bloomfield
13

Turn right onto County Road 436

3.8 mi · 9 min · County Road 436
14

At end of road, turn right onto MO BB

0.5 mi · 1 min · MO BB
15

Turn left onto MO PP

4.0 mi · 9 min · MO PP
16

Turn right onto County Road 471

391 ft · 19 sec · County Road 471
17

Turn right onto County Road 440

215 ft · 9 sec · County Road 440
18

Arrive at destination

County Road 440

Trip Plan

With a driving time of just over three hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning rush hour, to make the most of your day. Since the longest stretch is a substantial 119.4 miles, plan for one well-timed fuel stop to ensure you're comfortable. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is quite reasonable, so budgeting for gas won't be a major concern. Keep an eye on your GPS for transitions between US 50, US 54, and MO 291 to stay on the most direct path to Liberty.

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 73.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 32 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.6 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Liberty, 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 147.2 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 US 50 for about 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Tipton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tipton, MO

74 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedalia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Charge Pro Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18888074522

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 63.1

Sedalia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18889982546

Noodoe Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

+19094681118

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 126.1

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+33172676914

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 142.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
5
126.7 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Take the exit toward US 54, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia, Lake of the Ozarks

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 54, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia, La...
5
126.9 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | US 63

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
126.9 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
142.5 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | MO BB

At end of road, turn right onto MO BB

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.01 one way

$46.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.27 $50.53
premium $4.89 $28.33 $56.65
diesel $5.61 $32.50 $65.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.2 0 $15.46 $7.07
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.88 $5.89
EV Truck/SUV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Lee's Summit, MO

Night in Lee's Summit on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 18 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 1:20PM CDT until April 16 at 5:30AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:11AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Liberty, MO

Night in Liberty on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Tipton, MO

74 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

11 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

3h 12m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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-intensive experience on this route, with 93% of the drive taking place on main roads. The personality of this trip is largely defined by its swift, uninterrupted stretches, including one significant segment of 119.4 miles on US 50. This means you'll spend most of your time on faster, more direct roadways designed for covering distance. While not a monotonous interstate grind, the focus remains on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The road character is consistent, offering a predictable driving experience from start to finish.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on US 50.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and US 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near MO 291.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 12m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Liberty, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Lake Of The Ozarks and Mo J: New Bloomfield.

Columbia

126.7 mi in | ~2h 38m

Lake Of The Ozarks

126.7 mi in | ~2h 38m

Mo J: New Bloomfield

138.4 mi in | ~2h 51m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 147.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.4 miles on US 50. 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.

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 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Liberty, 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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