Reply to Pleasant Hill to Lee's Summit Amtrak

Has anyone actually ridden the Google recommended bike route? Are Hwys 150 and 291 ok to ride on? Thanks!

Just following Google Maps along Hwy. 291 and Hwy. 150 is not a good idea. Although there are a few other options, there are two routes that most local people recommend (described from North/Lee's Summit to South/Pleasant Hill):

The first route that I prefer uses the paved trail along Ward Road, the sidewalks along Hwy. 150 west of 291, a short 2/3 mile section along 2 lane 150, residential side streets in Greenwood (Doc Henry, Allendale Drive, Allendale Lake Road (there is a nice sidewalk trail along a good stretch here), then 167th/Groll/171st/Gray (there is a section of gravel road here with a few larger stones), and finally low traffic 175th Street east until you reach the trail just past the active train tracks:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=10eHY4HfsGMFVR773KfJu7dHcnME9L7aW&usp=sharing

The second route is all on roads and does not use the available paved trails or nice sections of sidewalk, but traffic is reasonably light: Scherer to Thompson to Hamblen, along 150 Hwy. mostly in Downtown Greenwood where the speed limit is low, south on Smart Road where eventually you reach the trail at 167th Street (there are a few sections of gravel road here too but usually the rocks aren't too big as compared to the other route):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1S5Um60ydU-JTZvsemSZuVHoacidMXUs&usp=sharing

Here is a link to my cross state route. I avoided 291 entirely because it is a high speed, heavily trafficked highway. I did have to cross it once. I did ride on 150 highway but only for one block. The ride from LS to P Hill was pretty safe the way I went on a holiday Monday. The business park just east of 291 will have some truck traffic but that’s only a short ride before it’s quiet again. Good luck!
https://strava.app.link/80z3KEbhCAb

don't let google maps take you down 291 did that a few years ago was not fun

Highway 150 isn't that bad. Staying off of 291 is easy; just take the outer road (right) before 291 Highway. The outer road takes you all the way down to your left turn onto SW Stuart Road (you will see Eagle Creek Church on your right). Be careful crossing 291. Stuart Road to SW Jefferson for half a mile, turn right, then half a mile and go left onto the KC spur of the Rock Island trail. Easy riding from there to the Sports Complex.

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO