Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Evening in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Malden, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 37m
Distance
371.2 mi
597 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 27m
★
6 AM
7h 37m
8 AM
7h 57m
10 AM
7h 44m
12 PM
7h 42m
3 PM
7h 45m
5 PM
7h 56m
8 PM
7h 31m
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
Malden, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trek from Lee's Summit to Malden, expect a 371.2-mile journey that spans approximately 7 hours and 37 minutes. This route stays entirely within Missouri, moving you across the Midwest landscape. Given the total duration, you can tackle this as a single-day push if you are comfortable with a long stint behind the wheel, though it is certainly a full day of travel. Budget roughly $56 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the drive is highway-focused, you will find it straightforward and predictable, making it a functional choice for those focused on reaching their destination efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 60 | 177.3 mi | 3h 28m |
| MO 13 | 68 mi | 1h 19m |
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| MO 53 | 19.6 mi | 29m |
| MO 291 | 16.9 mi | 24m |
| MO J | 11.5 mi | 20m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| Payne Stewart Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Malden, 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
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
15
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
17
Merge onto US 60
82 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 60
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
90 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
20
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
21
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Street
22
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
23
Turn slight left
133 ft
·
7 sec
24
Turn slight left onto MO 53
20 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 53
25
Turn left onto MO J
12 mi
·
20 min
·
MO J
26
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Douglas Street
27
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Main Street
28
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
442 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Madison Street
29
Turn right onto West Laclede Street
63 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Laclede Street
30
Arrive at destination
West Laclede Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 371.2-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two dedicated stops to break up your 7 hour and 37 minute transit. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially since the vast majority of the route consists of highway driving. Because you will be spending $56 on gas, keep an eye on your fuel levels before starting the 177.3-mile stretch on US 60 to ensure you don't get caught in a low-fuel situation. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to make your stops whenever you feel the need to stretch, rather than being forced by the road conditions. Keep your itinerary simple and focus on maintaining a steady, safe pace for the duration of the day.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 82 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.6 miles or 3h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lee's Summit, MO
This is one driving day of about 371.2 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Lee's Summit, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 177.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 185.6 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 240 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
144.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
6
240 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
|
US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.03 one way
$116.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $63.72 | $127.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $71.43 | $142.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.96 | $163.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.4 | 1 | $38.98 | $17.82 |
| Efficient EV | 92.8 | 1 | $32.48 | $14.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.5 | 1 | $51.97 | $23.76 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Malden, MO
Evening in Malden on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Houston, MO
186 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
7h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 153.6
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its reliance on major routes, with 94% of your travel occurring on highways. You will primarily navigate via US 60, MO 13, and MO 7 as you transition through the state. Prepare for a significant stretch of open road, as your longest uninterrupted segment covers 177.3 miles specifically on US 60. The drive maintains a consistent, highway-oriented personality throughout, minimizing the need for technical maneuvering or complex navigation. While it lacks the stop-and-go nature of city driving, the steady pace requires you to stay alert during those long, continuous highway miles.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.3 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 371.2 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 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; at 20.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Malden, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Saint Louis
144.4 mi in
|
~2h 53m
Poplar Bluff
240 mi in
|
~4h 46m
|
via US 60
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 37m. Total distance: 371.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.3 miles on US 60. 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 Malden, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 20.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Malden, MO before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. 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 Malden, MO
More trips to Malden, MO
Explore more options from Lee's Summit, MO or browse trips ending in Malden, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.