This 74.1-mile drive from Auburn, Kansas, to Shawnee, Kansas, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of $12. The journey stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. Primarily following the Kansas Turnpike, this route is largely highway-focused, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Auburn, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 77% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.3 miles along the Kansas Turnpike, meaning you'll have plenty of opportunity for steady driving. You'll navigate using main roads like the Kansas Turnpike, Southwest 61st Street, and Southwest Auburn Road. This combination suggests a drive that is mostly high-speed with some transitions onto local roads as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 54.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and Southwest 61st Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.8 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 470 East, I 335
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 470 East, I 335
6
12.8 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
5
13.2 mi into trip|~25m in|I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
67.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward College Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 415
Toward College Parkway
8
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Turner Diagonal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Turner Diagonal
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 Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Turner Diagonal.
Kansas City
12.8 mi in|~24m
Turner Diagonal
67.8 mi in|~1h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
54.3 mi
55m
Southwest 61st Street
5 mi
8m
Southwest Auburn Road
3 mi
7m
South 59th Street
2.8 mi
5m
US 75
1.9 mi
2m
Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi
1m
KS 32
1 mi
1m
Southwest Burlingame Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 54.3 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, KS and Shawnee, 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
54 mi·55 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 415Toward College Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork
390 ft·9 sec
Toward Turner DiagonalUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi·1 min·Turner Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on KS 32
1.0 mi·1 min·KS 32
20
Turn right onto South 55th Street
0.4 mi·52 sec·South 55th Street
21
Turn slight right
168 ft·7 sec
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto Inland Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Inland Drive
23
Turn left onto South 59th Street
2.8 mi·5 min·South 59th Street
24
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·47th Street
25
Turn left onto Bond Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·Bond Street
26
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 33-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 54.3-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike, and plan for any necessary stops before you embark on that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical drive. Since there are no specific stops recommended in the data, consider a brief break at a service area along the turnpike if needed.
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 37.1 miles from Auburn, KS, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 37.1 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, 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 74.1 miles and 1h 33m.
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 Kansas Turnpike for about 54.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.1 mi from Auburn, KS
· 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 37.1 miles from Auburn, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Shawnee, KS
The final approach into Shawnee, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.58 one way
$23.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.72
$25.44
premium
$4.89
$14.26
$28.52
diesel
$5.61
$16.36
$32.72
Estimated Tolls: $2.72
Kansas Turnpike
(54.3 mi)$2.72
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Auburn, KS
Evening
in Auburn on Friday
Local time
6:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Evening
in Shawnee on Friday
Local time
6:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Reno, KS
37 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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Shawnee, KS covers 74.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, Southwest 61st Street, Southwest Auburn Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.1 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 $11.58 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 74.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Auburn, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Turner Diagonal.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
