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

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

Drive Time

6h 54m

Distance

414.1 mi

666 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 43m ★
6 AM
6h 55m
8 AM
7h 18m
10 AM
7h 3m
12 PM
7h 0m
3 PM
7h 4m
5 PM
7h 17m
8 PM
6h 48m

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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Downtown Steele, MO, MO

Steele, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 414.1-mile journey from Steele, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is estimated to take around 6 hours and 54 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip within the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with North Walnut Street and Rosa Parks Highway being key segments before merging onto I-55 North. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $63. Given the turn-heavy nature of the profile, plan for a steady pace rather than high speeds. While it's a single-day option, consider an early start to comfortably complete the drive within daylight hours.

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

207.1 miles from Steele, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Walnut Street — —
I 55 North — —
Rosa Parks Highway — —
I 270 West — —
I 64 — —
I 64 West — —
Avenue of the Saints — —
I 70 West — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: North Walnut Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

167 ft · 14 sec · the route
2

At the end of the road, turn right onto North Walnut Street

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Walnut Street
3

Take the ramp left toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston

48 mi · 52 min · I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
4

Continue straight

37 mi · 39 min
5

Keep slight left

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min
6

Continue on Rosa Parks Highway

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
7

Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
8

Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City

387 ft · 8 sec · I 270 West: Kansas City
9

Continue on I 270 West

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 270 West
10

Merge slight left

11 mi · 14 min
11

Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis

0.1 mi · 17 sec · I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
12

Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

0.4 mi · 49 sec · I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
13

Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

0.1 mi · 10 sec · I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
14

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
15

Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
16

Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
17

Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
18

Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
19

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20

Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
21

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

1.6 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
23

Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit

0.3 mi · 40 sec · I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
24

Merge slight left

6.4 mi · 7 min
25

Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville

2.5 mi · 4 min · MO 291 South: Harrisonville
26

Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street
27

Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
28

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

With a driving duration of nearly 7 hours, an early morning departure from Steele, MO is highly recommended to reach Lee's Summit, MO before dark. While the drive is manageable in one day, you'll want to factor in at least one stop for fuel and a break, given the 414.1-mile distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between local roads, and remember that local roads can sometimes have lower speed limits and more traffic signals. The $63 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always have a little extra buffer for unexpected detours or price variations.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.1 miles from Steele, MO, or about 3h 27m into the drive.

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 91 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 207.1 miles or 3h 27m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 54m

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 Steele, 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 Steele, MO

This is one driving day of about 414.1 miles and 6h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Steele, 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.

Where to Stop

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

city in Missouri

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint Peters, MO

207 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

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Peters, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 207.1 miles from Steele, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Top Restaurant

Lambert's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sikeston, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.2

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15734714261

Visit website

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Arnold, Missouri

1.1 mi

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

2.3 mi

Lambert's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.2

Sikeston, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15734714261

Visit website

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 177.5

Arnold, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Shogun Japanese Sushi and Hibachi

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 88.7

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15733353090

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Corner Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Holland, Missouri

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+15736952070

Visit website

IHOP

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 88.7

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15738033138

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 236.7

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 295.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 236.7

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 236.7

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16364562001

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$64.74 one way

$129.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 145 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $71.08 $142.16
premium $4.89 $79.69 $159.38
diesel $5.61 $91.43 $182.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$65

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 144.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 124.2 1 $43.48 $19.88
Efficient EV 103.5 1 $36.23 $16.56
EV Truck/SUV 165.6 2 $57.97 $26.50

Gas CO2

145 kg

EV CO2

48 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Steele, MO

Evening in Steele on Saturday

Local time

8:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lee's Summit, MO

Evening in Lee's Summit on Saturday

Local time

8:06 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

17 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

6h 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, indicated by a 0% highway share. This means you'll be spending most of your time on surface streets and less direct highways, requiring constant attention to navigation and speed. There isn't a 'longest stretch' specified, suggesting frequent changes in direction and road type. The drive will likely feel more like a series of connected local routes rather than a continuous highway cruise, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience throughout the 6-hour-plus duration.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: North Walnut Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 54m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Steele, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 54m. Total distance: 414.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Steele, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 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.

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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