Origin
Auburn, KS
Afternoon in Auburn on Wednesday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, KS to Lenexa, KS
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
72.8 mi
117 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, KS
Tien Nguyen
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 72.8-mile drive from Auburn, KS to Lenexa, KS will take you about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the South Lawrence Trafficway, Kansas Turnpike, and Southwest 61st Street, with about 31% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $11. As you travel within the Great Plains region, expect a mixed driving experience. This straightforward trip is ideal for a quick getaway or a convenient commute.
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
36.4 miles from Auburn, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a blend of efficient highway travel and local road navigation. With 31% of the route on highways, you'll experience periods of faster travel, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.4 miles on the South Lawrence Trafficway. The remainder of the drive will involve navigating local roads, offering a more varied pace. This mixed drive profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather experience a dynamic journey through Kansas.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Lawrence Trafficway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 21 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 68.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
7
70.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Lawrence and Des Moines.
Kansas City
12.8 mi in
|
~24m
Lawrence
32.9 mi in
|
~44m
Des Moines
68.7 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Lawrence Trafficway | 35.4 mi | 38m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 19.7 mi | 19m |
| Southwest 61st Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| Southwest Auburn Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| US 75 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Burlingame Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 57th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South Lawrence Trafficway
— 35.4 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on East 8th Street
34 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 8th Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
3
Continue on Southwest Auburn Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Southwest Auburn Road
4
Turn right onto Southwest 61st Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Southwest 61st Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 61st Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 61st Street
6
Continue on Southwest 61st Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 61st Street
7
Continue on Southwest Burlingame Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Burlingame Road
8
Turn slight right
206 ft
·
9 sec
9
Turn straight onto Southwest 57th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 57th Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
11
Merge onto US 75
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 75
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 470 East, I 335
13
Merge onto I 470
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
15
Merge onto I 470
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
17
Turn right onto KS 10
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South Lawrence Trafficway
18
Take the exit
391 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
26
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
28
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
29
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, whether it's an early morning start or a mid-afternoon cruise. With no specific stops recommended, you can tailor your breaks as needed, perhaps grabbing a quick bite or stretching your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $11, it's a budget-friendly journey. A practical tip for this drive is to be aware of potential traffic on the Kansas Turnpike as you approach the Lenexa area, especially during peak commuting hours.
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 36.4 miles from Auburn, KS, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 16 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 49m 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 17m
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 Auburn, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Auburn, KS
This is one driving day of about 72.8 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Auburn, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Lawrence Trafficway for about 35.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from Auburn, KS · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from Auburn, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.38 one way
$22.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.50 | $24.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.01 | $28.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.07 | $32.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.98
Kansas Turnpike
(19.7 mi)
$0.98
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.64 | $3.49 |
| Efficient EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.37 | $2.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (64% 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
Afternoon in Lenexa on Wednesday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Centropolis, KS
36 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
6 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 32m 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 Auburn, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 72.8 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Lawrence Trafficway, Kansas Turnpike, Southwest 61st Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from Auburn, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.38 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 72.8 miles you will encounter 21 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 68.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Lawrence and Des Moines.
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