This 219.3-mile drive from Union, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of it on major interstates like I-70 and I-470, making for a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a move. This drive is well-suited for a single day, minimizing the need for overnight stops and allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-70, which forms the backbone of this journey across Missouri.
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
109.7 miles from Union, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
MO 47
29.9 mi
45m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
MO 291
2.5 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
2m
North Church Street
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,880 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,333
Quietest
1 AM
~259 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
11
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.
12
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
13
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, you can comfortably complete it in a single day. Consider departing Union, MO in the morning to take advantage of daylight hours and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Lee's Summit. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $34, this trip is efficient. The longest stretch of driving is on I-70, so plan for a break before or around the halfway point of that segment to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 176.4-mile stretch on I-70, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point.
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 109.7 miles from Union, MO, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 48 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 2h 14m 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 32m
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 Union, 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 Union, MO
This is one driving day of about 219.3 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Union, 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 I 70 for about 176.4 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 and 215.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Park Avenue
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|MO 47
Turn left onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
30.9 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
8
209 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
215.7 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.39 one way
$64.77 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.75
$71.51
premium
$4.72
$40.72
$81.43
diesel
$4.80
$41.41
$82.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.19
$8.77
EV Truck/SUV
87.7
1
$30.70
$14.04
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Union, MO
Evening
in Union on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:52PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Evening
in Lee's Summit on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:52PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
87°F
Centralia, MO
110 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
2 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 19m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be on I-70, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 176.4 miles. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads like I-70 and I-470, there's a brief portion on MO 47, offering a slight variation before rejoining the interstate system. This means you'll largely be in a consistent driving environment, characterized by efficient travel across the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Park Avenue.
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 219.3 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: near the start (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft521 ft
Total Climb
959 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~219.3 mi in
Elevation Range
517 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Union, MO to Lee's Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
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 19m. Total distance: 219.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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: near the start (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
