Lee's Summit, MO to Licking, MO is 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 41m via US 50 and US 63, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, both starting and ending in Missouri. Expect a drive with a significant amount of highway time, making it a relatively straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route to cover ground without needing an overnight stay.
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
110.5 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
131.6 mi
2h 43m
North Bishop Avenue
33.9 mi
42m
US 63
32.6 mi
43m
MO A
7.5 mi
10m
MO E
7.5 mi
10m
MO 291
6.6 mi
8m
Southwest Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Tim Bradley Way
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 131.6 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Licking, 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
132 mi·2 hr 43 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63
33 mi·43 min·US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
8
Turn right onto MO A
7.5 mi·10 min·MO A
9
Turn straight onto MO E
7.5 mi·10 min·MO E
10
Enter roundabout onto MO E
62 ft·1 sec·Tim Bradley Way
11
Continue on MO E
0.4 mi·48 sec·Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
12
Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
30 ft·0 sec·North Bishop Avenue
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
145 ft·2 sec·North Bishop Avenue
14
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
34 mi·42 min·North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto MO 32; MO 137
0.3 mi·39 sec·MO 32; MO 137
16
Turn left onto North Main Street
69 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Lee's Summit will comfortably get you to Licking before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can be flexible with your timing. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so ensure your tank is full before departing, especially since the longest stretch without services could be up to 131.6 miles on US 50. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off the main highways towards the end of the trip.
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 110.5 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.6 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 18m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Licking, 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 221.1 miles and 4h 41m.
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 US 50 for about 131.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 186.9 — 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
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
138.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 63
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Rolla
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
4
186.5 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|MO E / Tim Bradley Way
Enter roundabout onto MO E / Tim Bradley Way
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.88 one way
$73.76 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.09
$80.17
premium
$5.26
$45.78
$91.56
diesel
$6.18
$53.79
$107.57
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: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.22
$10.61
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Morning
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Licking, MO
Morning
in Licking on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
6 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
4h 41m 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 highway, with 77% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving for 131.6 miles on US 50. Eventually, you'll transition from highway cruising to more local roads as you approach Licking. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip before a change in scenery and traffic patterns.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.6 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and North Bishop Avenue. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 221.1 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 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 41m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.6 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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.
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 0.7 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.9 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Licking, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
