Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
63.8 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Photo: Tien Nguyen
The drive from Arkansas City, KS to Wichita, KS covers 63.8 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 5th Avenue, South Summit Street, West Washington Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.47 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
31.9 miles from Arkansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 5m drive with frequent turns across 63.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 5th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Summit Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Washington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Madison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kansas Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 135 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 81 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Arkansas City, KS and Wichita, KS.
Start on the route
Turn right onto East 5th Avenue
Turn left onto South Summit Street
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto South 8th Street
Turn right onto West Madison Avenue
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward I 135, I 235, US 81: South Wichita, Salina
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward US 81 South
Turn left onto East 47th Street South
Turn right onto South Broadway Avenue
Continue on North Broadway Street
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
Turn right onto North Market Street
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 63.8 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.9 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wichita, KS than in the middle of the route.
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 63.8 miles and 1h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.9 mi from Arkansas City, KS · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 63.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.9 miles from Arkansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$9.47 one way
$18.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.68 | $21.37 |
| premium | $4.65 | $11.69 | $23.38 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $13.32 | $26.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.93 | $4.08 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Arkansas City on Saturday
Local time
10:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Wichita on Saturday
Local time
10:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Belle Plaine, KS
32 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Arkansas City, KS or browse trips ending in Wichita, KS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.
Explore maps for Arkansas City, KS or Wichita, KS on MapSof.net.
