Origin
Arkansas City, KS
Night in Arkansas City on Friday
Local time
10:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arkansas City, KS to Lenexa, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
215.4 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arkansas City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 215.4-mile journey from Arkansas City, Kansas, to Lenexa, Kansas, is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours. Primarily utilizing I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike, this route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. With a projected fuel cost of $34, it's an economical option for a day trip. This highway-focused drive is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Plan for a smooth, efficient transit across the state.
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
107.7 miles from Arkansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 215.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roads like I-35 and US 77. You'll encounter a 97-mile stretch on I-35, offering a sustained period of consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, the overall feel is one of steady progress rather than a monotonous grind. The landscape remains consistent with the Great Plains profile for the entirety of the trip, making it a predictable yet efficient drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 97 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Kansas Turnpike. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 5th Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 215.4 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (East 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South B Street): Navigation decision point; at 117.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 5th Avenue
Turn left onto East 5th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South B Street
Turn left onto South B Street
Navigation decision point
6
117.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
214.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward 95th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
9
215 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 97 mi | 1h 40m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 50.9 mi | 50m |
| US 77 | 40.7 mi | 51m |
| US 54 | 14.2 mi | 19m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Walnut Valley Green Way | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| East Chestnut Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lenexa Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 97 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arkansas City, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on this road
318 ft
·
28 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
East 5th Avenue
3
Turn left onto South B Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South B Street
4
Turn right onto East Chestnut Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chestnut Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 77; US 166
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
6
Enter roundabout onto US 77
179 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
7
Continue on US 77
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
8
Turn right onto US 77
41 mi
·
51 min
·
US 77
9
Turn right onto US 54; US 77; US 400
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West 7th Avenue
10
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 54; US 77
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 54; US 77
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
14
Merge onto I 35
51 mi
·
50 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
95 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 35
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
20
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
22
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
23
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your trip in the morning from Arkansas City will allow ample time to reach Lenexa with daylight to spare. While the route has only one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a major exit is 97 miles on I-35, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. The $34 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially on longer highway segments. Consider departing on a weekday to potentially encounter less traffic on the Kansas Turnpike.
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 107.7 miles from Arkansas City, KS, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97 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 47 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arkansas City, 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 Arkansas City, KS
This is one driving day of about 215.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Arkansas City, KS.
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 35 for about 97 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.7 mi from Arkansas City, KS · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Arkansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97 miles.
Arriving in Lenexa, KS
The final approach into Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, 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
$33.68 one way
$67.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.97 | $73.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.45 | $82.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.56 | $95.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.54
Kansas Turnpike
(50.9 mi)
$2.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.62 | $10.34 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.85 | $8.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.16 | $13.79 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Night in Lenexa on Friday
Local time
10:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Eureka, KS
108 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 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 1m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arkansas City, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 215.4 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Kansas Turnpike, US 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.7 miles from Arkansas City, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.4 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (East 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South B Street): Navigation decision point; at 117.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arkansas City, KS to Lenexa, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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