Origin
Basehor, KS
Evening in Basehor on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 5m
Distance
116.4 mi
187 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Basehor, KS
Tien Nguyen
Junction City, KS
Tien Nguyen
Spanning 116.4 miles across the heart of the Great Plains, this drive from Basehor to Junction City is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the Kansas Turnpike, and State Avenue. Because the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budget roughly $18 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the route offers a reliable connection between these two Kansas locations.
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
58.2 miles from Basehor, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with local transitions. With a highway share of 37%, you will spend a portion of your time on faster, high-capacity roads before moving into more localized driving environments. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 67.4-mile stretch along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, where you can settle into a steady pace. This blend of road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. By the time you pull into Junction City, you will have navigated a diverse set of road conditions that characterize this specific stretch of the Kansas plains.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near US 24; US 40.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.4 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 4 miles (US 24; US 40): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp onto US 24; US 40 toward US 24 East, US 40 East, US 73 South, KS 7 South: Bonner Springs, Olathe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left toward I 70 West: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward J Hill Road, Flinthills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Basehor, KS to Junction City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 67.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 41.1 mi | 41m |
| State Avenue | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North 155th Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| East 6th Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| US 24 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| J Hill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Jefferson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Basehor, KS and Junction City, KS.
Start on North 155th Street
Turn left onto US 24; US 40
Take the ramp onto US 24; US 40
Turn left
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70
Take the exit
Turn right onto J Hill Road
Turn left onto US 40 Business; KS 57
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will help ensure you maintain that 2-hour-and-5-minute estimate. With zero official stops planned in the data, you have the freedom to pace yourself; consider checking your fuel levels before merging onto the Kansas Turnpike to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the 116.4-mile distance, it is easy to complete the trip in one go, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a quick reset. Keep a close eye on your navigation during the transitions between the Presidential Highway and State Avenue to stay on track. Focusing on these road switches will make your transition through the region much smoother.
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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Junction City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Basehor, 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 Basehor, KS
This is one driving day of about 116.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.2 mi from Basehor, KS · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Basehor, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.4 miles.
The final approach into Junction City, 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 Junction City, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.49 | $38.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.97 | $43.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.06
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
$18
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.22 | $5.59 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Basehor on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Junction City on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
58 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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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