Traveling from Park Hills to Lee's Summit spans 295.8 miles across the Missouri Midwest, typically taking about 5 hours and 44 minutes to complete. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you can easily handle the drive in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the journey involves traveling along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. This trip is ideal for those who prefer a straightforward, one-day itinerary rather than a multi-day excursion.
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
147.9 miles from Park Hills, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
US 67
26.6 mi
30m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 55
20.5 mi
22m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Hills, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on Bryan Street
386 ft·17 sec·Bryan Street
2
Turn right onto Field Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Field Street
3
Turn left onto Glendale Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Glendale Street
4
Turn right onto US 67 Business
0.5 mi·55 sec·Taylor Avenue
5
Continue on US 67 Business; MO 8
2.0 mi·3 min·South Desloge Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 67 North: Saint Louis
7
Merge onto US 67
26 mi·30 min·US 67
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 67
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 55
21 mi·22 min·I 55
11
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
15
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
29
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
30
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
2.5 mi·4 min·MO 291
Exit 10BToward MO 291 South: HarrisonvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
32
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
33
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a nearly six-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more demanding than standard highway driving. Keep your fuel budget of $45 in mind when planning your refueling intervals, especially during the more isolated stretches. Given the total distance, try to time your single planned stop around the halfway point to maintain steady momentum. Flexibility is a key advantage here, so adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected local traffic while navigating off the main highway.
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 147.9 miles from Park Hills, MO, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.9 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, MO
This is one driving day of about 295.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Park Hills, 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 80.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.8 and 90.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
52.1 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.24 one way
$92.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.78
$101.55
premium
$4.89
$56.92
$113.85
diesel
$5.61
$65.31
$130.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.7
1
$31.06
$14.20
Efficient EV
74
0
$25.88
$11.83
EV Truck/SUV
118.3
1
$41.41
$18.93
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Park Hills, MO
Night
in Park Hills on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Night
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live 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
10 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
5h 44m 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 trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a different experience than a simple interstate cruise. Only 23% of the journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend significant time navigating local roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles while on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for a road personality that shifts between these longer highway segments and more technical, winding local sections. The variability of the pavement keeps the drive engaging, requiring your full attention as you transition between different road types.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 295.8 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 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft444 ft
Total Climb
908 ft
Total Descent
628 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~295.8 mi in
Elevation Range
595 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Park Hills, MO and Lee's Summit, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
51.8 mi in|~1h 1m
Saint Louis
64.4 mi in|~1h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 295.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 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 Lee's 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 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lee's Summit, MO before the return drive.
