Origin
Abilene, KS
Night in Abilene on Tuesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Abilene, KS to Wichita, KS
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
92.6 mi
149 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abilene, KS
Tien Nguyen
Wichita, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 92.6-mile journey from Abilene, Kansas, to Wichita, Kansas, is an easy day trip, taking about 1 hour and 48 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on the Eisenhower Memorial Highway and I-135, with a small portion on Bison Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this drive is quite budget-friendly. The route is characterized by its turn-heavy nature, suggesting a more local feel rather than a pure interstate experience. Since it's a relatively short drive within the Great Plains region, you won't need to worry about overnight stops; you can easily complete it in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Abilene, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive that's a mix of highway and local roads, with 28% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.2 miles on the Eisenhower Memorial Highway. This route profile indicates a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for more frequent turns and potentially varying speed limits as you transition between main roads and local segments. The drive progresses through varied road types, offering a dynamic experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Eisenhower Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38.5 miles in near US 56; KS 15 / 200th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.6 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: at 38.5 miles (US 56; KS 15 / 200th Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (KS 15 / Bison Road): Navigation decision point; at 90.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
38.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 56; KS 15 / 200th Street
Turn right onto US 56; KS 15 / 200th Street
Navigation decision point
4
44.5 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
KS 15 / Bison Road
Turn left onto KS 15 / Bison Road
Navigation decision point
7
90.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward 13th Street
8
90.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 13th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward 13th Street
5
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
North Market Street
Turn left onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Eisenhower Memorial Highway | 36.2 mi | 42m |
| I 135 | 26.4 mi | 28m |
| Bison Road | 12 mi | 13m |
| Gulf Road | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| 200th Street | 6 mi | 7m |
| North Buckeye Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 13th Street North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
— 36.2 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abilene, KS and Wichita, KS.
1
Start on KS 15
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Buckeye Avenue
2
Continue on KS 15
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
3
Continue on KS 15
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf Road
4
Continue on KS 15
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
5
Turn right onto US 56; KS 15
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
200th Street
6
Turn left onto KS 15
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Bison Road
7
Continue on KS 15
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
9
Merge onto I 135; US 81
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 135; US 81
10
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 135; US 50; US 81
11
Continue on I 135; US 81
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 8
Toward 13th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
Toward 13th Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto East 13th Street North
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 13th Street North
15
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway Street
16
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
368 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Central Avenue
17
Turn left onto North Market Street
358 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Market Street
18
Turn right
187 ft
·
13 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 48-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip from Abilene to Wichita. You can leave whenever it suits you best, as there's no need to break up the 92.6 miles. With a fuel cost around $14, you can confidently plan your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 36.2-mile stretch on the Eisenhower Memorial Highway, to ensure you don't need to search for a station unexpectedly. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive,' pay close attention to navigation and posted speed limits, particularly as you approach Wichita.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.3 miles from Abilene, KS, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wichita, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abilene, KS 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 Abilene, KS
This is one driving day of about 92.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Abilene, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Eisenhower Memorial Highway for about 36.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.3 mi from Abilene, KS · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.3 miles from Abilene, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wichita, KS
The final approach into Wichita, KS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Wichita, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.48 one way
$28.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.82 | $35.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.44 | $40.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.10 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.93 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Wichita, KS
Night in Wichita on Tuesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Newton, KS
46 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
1h 48m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Abilene, KS to Wichita, KS covers 92.6 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eisenhower Memorial Highway, I 135, Bison Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.3 miles from Abilene, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.5 miles (US 56; KS 15 / 200th Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (KS 15 / Bison Road): Navigation decision point; at 90.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Abilene, KS to Wichita, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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