Interstate 470 Missouri

Interstate 470 Missouri
south Kansas City, MO ↔ Independence, MO•16.72 miles

Overview

Interstate 470 in Missouri connects southern Kansas City with Independence, providing a bypass of the Kansas City metropolitan area to the southeast and a commuter route to Lee's Summit. The freeway overlaps with U.S. 50 from the Three Trails Crossing Memorial Highway interchange with I-49 and I-435 to Exits 7 A/B, and doubles as Missouri Route 291 on its east leg between Exit 10 and Exit 16. Old U.S. 50 is designated Route 350 between Interstate 470 and I-435 through Raytown and Kansas City.

Mileage by State

Missouri17.08 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

The state of Missouri submitted Interstate 170, a connector between I-435 and I-70 southeast of Kansas City, as part of the Urban Route Numbering proposals to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) on July 31, 1958. The route was changed to Interstate 470 since it constituted a loop and approved by AASHO on November 10, 1958.1

The alignment of Intestate 470 appeared on the Missouri Official Highway Map by 1964 from the Grandview Triangle Interchange with U.S. 71 and I-435 east to then-U.S. 71 Bypass north of Lee's Summit. U.S. 71 Bypass ran north from U.S. 50 to U.S. 40 as part of the planned route. Missouri Route 291 replaced U.S. 71 Bypass by 1975, with a short stretch of expressway completed by 1969 from south of U.S. 40 to 39th Street. The 1983-84 Missouri Official Highway Map shows the Interstate fully opened to traffic.

The Grandview Triangle Interchange, where I-435, I-470 and U.S. 71 came together in south Kansas City, was redesigned during an eight year project completed in May 2008. The original junction was chronically congested, having been designed when the area was vastly more rural. Suburban growth both along I-435 and U.S. 71 overran the exchange with commuter traffic, leading to the need for the $300 million upgrade. Construction removed some of the left-hand ramps and expanded the freeway mainlines among other improvements. The junction was renamed the Three Trails Crossing Memorial Highway to reflect the end of the Grandview Triangle Interchange era.

A $46 million project between 2006 and June 2010 improved the junction of Interstate 470 with U.S. 50 leading east and Route 350 in Lee's Summit. A new split-diamond interchange with Pryor Road and Blue Parkway frames the cloverleaf interchange with the U.S. 50 freeway leading south through Lee's Summit. The new ramps provide local access to the Summit Woods and Summit Fair retail area, reducing traffic on U.S. 50 to the adjacent Chipman Road exit.2

A new diamond interchange opened to traffic along I-470 at Strother Road on August 19, 2010. The $15 million project extended Strother Road and provides additional access to industrial park areas served by Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (LXT).3

I-470 Kansas City, MO - 1968
A short stretch of freeway was open at Independence for U.S. 71 Bypass by 1968. This was incorporated as the north end of I-470. U.S. 71 Bypass was an at-grade bypass of the Kansas City area. The designation was renumbered as Missouri Route 291 by 1972. It ran from Harrisonville north to Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Nashua and U.S. 71, six miles southeast of Platte City.
Interstate 470 first appeared on the Rand McNally North American Road Atlas in 1976.
1960s and 1970s era maps showed I-470 proposed in a more northeasterly alignment than what was ultimately constructed over Route 291.
Kansas City, MO - 1981
The 1981 Rand McNally North American Road Atlas showed Interstate 470 open from the Grandview Triangle east to Route 350 at Lee’s Summit.

U.S. 50 was relocated onto I-470 and I-435, bypassing Kansas City, when the east-west section of I-470 opened. U.S. 50 previously followed Blue Parkway northwest to Swope Parkway, where it combined with U.S. 56 west to Interstate 35 at Merriam, Kansas.

North End Interstate 70 Missouri Highway 291 ‐ Independence, MO

Interstate 470 Missouri Highway 291 North at Interstate 70

I-470 north at I-70 - Independence, MO

I-470/Route 291 lower through a rock cut toward the Little Blue River beyond the first sign for U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 in Independence. 06/18/15

I-470 north at I-70 - Independence, MO I-470 north at I-70 - Independence, MO I-470 north at I-70 - Independence, MO I-470 north end - Independence, MO I-470 north at I-70 west - Independence, MO

Missouri Highway 291 South at Interstate 70 Interstate 470

MO 291 south at I-470/70 - Independence

Route 291 heads southeast from a commercialized stretch at Route 78 to become an expressway leading to I-70 and I-470. 06/18/15

MO 291 south at I-470/70 - Independence MO 291 south at I-470/70 - Independence MO 291 south at I-470/70 - Independence I-470/MO 291 south of I-70/US 40

Interstate 70 West at Interstate 470 Missouri Highway 291

I-70 west at I-470/MO 291

Interstate 70 west straddles the Blue Springs and Independence city line to the Little Blue River preceding Exit 17. Upcoming I-470/Route 291 south meet U.S. 40 in Independence before crossing into Lee’s Summit. 10/17/04

I-70 west at I-470/MO 291 I-70 west at I-470/MO 291 I-70 west at I-470/MO 291 I-70 west at I-470/MO 291

Interstate 70 East at Interstate 470 Missouri Highway 291

I-70 east at I-470/MO 291

Interstate 70 runs between several subdivisions to the commercialized junction with Interstate 470 and Missouri Route 291. Independence Center mall and an array of shopping centers surround the upcoming exchange. 11/03/16

I-70 east at I-470/MO 291 I-70 east at I-470/MO 291

North End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 470 at Interstate 70

I-470 north at I-70/US 40 - Independence, MO - 2004

The first indication that Interstate 470 was about to end. This sign was replaced by 2008 to no longer display Junction. 10/17/04

I-470 north at I-70/US 40 - Independence, MO - 2004 North end of I-470 - Independence, MO - 2004 I-70 west at I-470/MO 291 - 2004

West End Interstate 49 Interstate 435 U.S. 50 U.S. 71 ‐ south Kansas City, MO

Interstate 470 U.S. 50 West at Interstate 435 Interstate 49 U.S. 71

I-470/US 50 west at I-49/435/US 71

The initial signs on I-470/U.S. 50 west for the Three Trails Crossing Memorial Highway interchange with I-49 and I-435 precedes the exit for Blue Ridge Boulevard to the Fairlane and Hickman Mills South communities. 11/03/16

I-470/US 50 west at I-49/435/US 71 I-470/US 50 west at I-49/435/US 71 I-470/US 50 west at I-49/435/US 71 I-470/US 50 west at I-49/435/US 71

Interstate 49 U.S. 71 North at Interstate 435 Interstate 470 U.S. 50

I-49/US 71 north at I-435/470/US 50

I-49/U.S. 71 cross the Kansas City line beyond the forthcoming overpasses for Blue Ridge Boulevard and the KCS Railroad. Back to back ramps follow for Red Bridge Road (Exit 182) and the Three Trails Crossing Memorial Highway interchange with I-435, I-470 and U.S. 50. 05/07/22

I-49/US 71 north at I-435/470/US 50 I-49/US 71 north at I-435/470/US 50 I-49/US 71 north at I-435/470/US 50 I-49/US 71 north at I-435/470/US 50

Interstate 435 U.S. 50 East at Interstate 470 Interstate 49 U.S. 71

I-435/US 50 east at I-49/470/US 71

I-435/U.S. 50 travel east with four lanes through the six-ramp parclo interchange (Exit 74) with Holmes Road to cross the Blue River and reach the Three Trails Crossing Memorial Highway junction in 2.5 miles. 11/03/16

I-435/US 50 east at I-49/470/US 71 I-435/US 50 east at I-49/470/US 71 I-435/US 50 east at I-49/470/US 71 I-435/US 50 east at I-49/470/US 71

U.S. 71 South at Interstate 49 Interstate 435 Interstate 470 U.S. 50

US 71 south at Route W - Kansas City, MO

U.S. 71 (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) advances south to the Bannister Road exit for the Hidden Valley community and the ramps for I-435/U.S. 50 east and I-470/U.S. 50 west. 06/19/15

US 71 south at Route W - Kansas City, MO US 71 south at Route W - Kansas City, MO I-49/US 71 south at I-435/470 - Kansas City, MO

Interstate 435 South at Interstate 49 Interstate 470 U.S. 50 U.S. 71

I-435 south at I-49/435-US 50/71 - Kansas City, MO

A collector distributor roadway separates from I-435 south at Exit 71 for both I-49/U.S. 71 south to Joplin and I-470/U.S. 50 east to Lee’s Summit. 11/07/21

I-435 south at I-49/435-US 50/71 - Kansas City, MO I-435 south at I-49/435-US 50/71 - Kansas City, MO I-435 south at I-49/435-US 50/71 - Kansas City, MO I-435 south at I-49/435-US 50/71 - Kansas City, MO

West End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 470 at Interstate 435 U.S. 71

I-470/US 50 west at I-435/US 71 - 2002

An end sign was posted for Interstate 470 west at the original separation of traffic for U.S. 71 south (Exit 1 A) and I-435 north / U.S. 71 north (Exit 1 B). Exit 1 was reassigned to the left side ramp for I-49/U.S. 71 south to Joplin. Photo by Ben Prusia (2002).

I-470/US 50 west at I-435/US 71 - 2002 US 71 north at I-435/470 - 2002 US 71 north at I-435/470 - 2002 US 71 north at I-435/470 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 2002 I-435 east at I-470/US 71 - 1984

References

  1. Summers, S. Interstate system route numbering. Retrieved from http://www.nwindianahwys.homestead.com/INTER_MAIN.HTML
  2. "I-470 interchange in Lee's Summit is done." The Kansas City Star, June 30, 2010.
  3. "Ceremony to open new interchange at I-470 and Strother Road in Lee's Summit." The Kansas City Star, August 19, 2010.
Updated May 31, 2022