Lee's Summit, MO to Senath, MO is 390 miles and takes about 8h 4m via US 60 and MO 13, with a fuel budget near $60 and recommended for 2 days. This drive stays within Missouri, taking you through the heart of the Midwest. With a majority of the trip on main roads, it offers a straightforward path to your destination. Planning for two days allows for a more relaxed pace, breaking up the approximately 8-hour drive. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct, primarily highway connection across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
82.2 mi
1h 35m
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
US 63
61.5 mi
1h 20m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
West Main Street
48.1 mi
58m
East Main Street
18.8 mi
26m
MO 291
16.9 mi
24m
West 3rd Street
14.6 mi
21m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Senath, 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 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
10
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse 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 82AToward 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 right at fork onto US 63
61 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 63
Toward US 63 South: West Plains, ThayerUse the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
492 ft·6 sec·US 62; US 412
20
Continue on US 62; US 63; US 412; AR 175
1.4 mi·1 min·US 62; US 63; US 412; AR 175
21
Continue on US 62; US 412
436 ft·11 sec·US 62; US 412
22
Turn left onto US 62; US 63; US 412
19 mi·26 min·East Main Street
23
Continue on US 62; US 63; US 412
15 mi·21 min·West 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto US 412B
3.9 mi·5 min·Portia Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 412B
48 mi·58 min·West Main Street
26
Turn left onto MO C
1.3 mi·3 min·MO C
27
Turn slight right onto MO P
0.2 mi·39 sec·Commercial Street
28
Turn left
51 ft·3 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With an 8-hour driving time, this trip is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, which are good opportunities to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on US 60, as services can be spaced out. The transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Senath means you'll want to be more aware of local speed limits and potential turns.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 195 miles or 3h 54m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Senath, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lee's Summit, MO
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Senath, MO
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Lee's Summit, MO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 82.2 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 18
5 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
8
240 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|US 63
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.59 one way
$115.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$63.58
$127.16
premium
$4.72
$72.41
$144.82
diesel
$4.80
$73.64
$147.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$188–$298
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117
1
$40.95
$18.72
Efficient EV
97.5
1
$34.13
$15.60
EV Truck/SUV
156
1
$54.60
$24.96
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Evening
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
S 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Senath, MO
Evening
in Senath on Saturday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph4% 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 4m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 161.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 76% of the driving on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 82.2 miles on US 60, offering extended periods of cruising. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach your destination, transitioning to more local roads. Given the highway share, be prepared for consistent travel speeds for most of the trip.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 390 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,525 ft255 ft
Total Climb
985 ft
Total Descent
1,769 ft
Highest Point
1,525 ft
~195 mi in
Elevation Range
1,270 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 Senath, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Thayer.
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.
The longest stretch is about 82.2 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 195 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Senath, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Senath, MO before the return drive.
