Connecting Warrenton to Lee's Summit, this 189.3-mile journey across Missouri is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 33 minutes. You will spend nearly the entire trip on major thoroughfares, primarily I-70, making it an efficient option for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, the route is budget-friendly for those looking to traverse the Midwest quickly. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have a packed itinerary at your destination. It is a reliable, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the eastern side of the state to the Kansas City metro area with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.6 miles from Warrenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
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
MO 47
0.8 mi
1m
Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Booneslick Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warrenton, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
8
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.
9
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast 3rd Street
10
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
11
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a 3.5-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when approaching the Kansas City metropolitan area. You only need one well-timed stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the middle of your journey. Keep an eye on your dashboard for that $29 fuel estimate, though fluctuations in local gas prices may require you to adjust your budget slightly. Because the route is so highway-dependent, take advantage of the flexibility this short duration offers by leaving early in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive in 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 94.6 miles from Warrenton, MO, or about 1h 45m 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 42 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.6 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
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 Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 189.3 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Warrenton, 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 185.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m 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...
3
1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 70; US 40
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Merge point - match speed before joining
8
179 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
185.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
$29.59 one way
$59.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.49
$64.99
premium
$4.89
$36.43
$72.86
diesel
$5.61
$41.80
$83.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
EV Truck/SUV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Warrenton, MO
Night
in Warrenton on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Night
in Lee's Summit on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 12 to 16 mph13% chanceLive forecast
55°F
New Franklin, MO
95 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
5 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
3h 33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 classic interstate experience, as 98% of this drive is highway-focused. You will settle in for a long, consistent haul, highlighted by a 176.4-mile stretch exclusively on I-70. While the road is efficient, the personality of the drive leans toward a steady, high-speed grind rather than winding, technical backroads. Transitioning onto I-470 and MO-291 toward the end of your trip helps you navigate into Lee's Summit smoothly. Prepare yourself for the mental endurance required for such a lengthy, uninterrupted stint on the interstate.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 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?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 470. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 47.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 33m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 47): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 70; US 40): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft601 ft
Total Climb
868 ft
Total Descent
714 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~189.3 mi in
Elevation Range
438 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 189.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on I 70. 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.
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 (MO 47): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 70; US 40): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lee's Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
