University City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is 239.9 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 70 and I 470, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, entirely within Missouri, offering a straightforward journey between two points in the state. With 97% of the route on highways, you'll experience a focused, efficient trip. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day excursion with minimal fuss, making it ideal for a quick relocation or a visit without an overnight stay.
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
119.9 miles from University City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
221.6 mi
4h 12m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
MO 291
2.5 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi
1m
North Hanley Road
1.4 mi
2m
Inner Belt Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
Olive Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 221.6 mi, about 4h 12m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,861 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~342 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
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 University City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on Kingsland Avenue
173 ft·14 sec·Kingsland Avenue
2
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kingsland Avenue
3
Turn left onto Olive Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Olive Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Midland Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Midland Boulevard
5
Turn slight right onto North Hanley Road
1.4 mi·2 min·North Hanley Road
6
Turn left onto MO 180
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Charles Rock Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 170 North
8
Merge onto I 170
1.4 mi·1 min·Inner Belt Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 7BToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
14
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.
15
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
16
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 4 hours and 40 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though an early morning start will allow for a relaxed pace and potentially avoid afternoon traffic. Plan for one primary stop to refuel or stretch your legs, as the longest stretch without a major highway change is over 221 miles. With the fuel cost estimated at $38, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Pay attention to signage as you transition from I 70 to I 470 and MO 291 to ensure you stay on the most direct path to Lee's Summit.
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 119.9 miles from University City, MO, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.6 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 47m
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 University City, 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 University City, MO
This is one driving day of about 239.9 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from University City, 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 221.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 236.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge onto I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
5
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
229.6 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
236.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$35.43 one way
$70.86 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.11
$78.22
premium
$4.72
$44.54
$89.08
diesel
$4.80
$45.30
$90.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72
0
$25.19
$11.52
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.99
$9.60
EV Truck/SUV
96
1
$33.59
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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
University City, MO
Late night
in University City on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night
in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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 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 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 70, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 221.6 miles. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, as the route primarily utilizes I 70 and then transitions to I 470 and MO 291. While the scenery might be typical of Midwestern highway travel, the road itself is designed for steady progress, minimizing complex maneuvers and maximizing your time on the move.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 470. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway.
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 239.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 4.6 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
St. Louis County is an area in the St. Louis Area of Missouri. Its current boundaries were set in 1877, when St. Louis City split off to become an independent city separate from any county. It is the most populated part of the St. Louis area, though it has fewer sites of interest than the City. It mostly consists of suburban residential areas.
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 40m. Total distance: 239.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.6 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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: at 4.6 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
