Origin
Baxter Springs, KS
Evening in Baxter Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Baxter Springs, KS to Salina, KS
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
268.5 mi
432 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baxter Springs, KS
Alexis Cruz
Salina, KS
Alan Wang
Trip Overview
Connecting Baxter Springs to Salina, this 268.5-mile journey takes you across the heart of the Great Plains. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. By utilizing a combination of the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, US 400, and I-135, you will traverse the Kansas landscape efficiently. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the state of Kansas, you will enjoy a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a reliable choice for a quick trek across the plains.
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
134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 68% of your journey spent on high-speed routes that allow for steady progress. You will encounter a mix of road types, including the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway and US 400, before transitioning onto the interstate system. The most significant stretch of the trip occurs on I-135, where you will face 80.8 miles of uninterrupted driving. Expect a practical, no-nonsense experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding roads. As you move through the Great Plains, the terrain remains relatively consistent, providing a predictable environment that is ideal for those who prefer straightforward interstate travel.
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.
I 135 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and US 400. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 268.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (US 69 Alternate; US 400): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue
Turn left onto US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 69 Alternate; US 400
Enter roundabout onto US 69 Alternate; US 400
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
22.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
US 400
Turn left onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
173 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
8
183.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
KS 96
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96 toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Baxter Springs, KS to Salina, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Hutchinson along the way.
Hutchinson
183.4 mi in
|
~3h 37m
|
via KS 96
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 135 | 80.8 mi | 1h 21m |
| US 400 | 70.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 17.9 mi | 21m |
| KS 96 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| US 69 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| US 69 Alternate | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Military Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter Springs, KS and Salina, KS.
1
Start on US 166
50 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 12th Street
2
Turn left onto US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Military Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
4
Enter roundabout onto US 69 Alternate; US 400
159 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
5
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
6
Continue on US 69; US 160; US 400
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 69; US 160; US 400
7
Turn left onto US 400
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 400
Use the none lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto US 400
170 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 400
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Avenue
12
Continue on US 54; US 400
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
14
Continue on KS 96
10 mi
·
11 min
·
KS 96
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
KS 96
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 135; US 81; KS 15
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 135; US 81; KS 15
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 135; US 50; US 81
18
Continue on I 135; US 81
61 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward KS 140
20
Turn right onto West State Street
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
West State Street
21
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft
·
9 sec
22
Turn straight onto West State Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West State Street
Use the none lane.
23
Turn right onto North College Avenue
379 ft
·
15 sec
·
North College Avenue
24
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Iron Avenue
25
Turn right onto South 8th Street
92 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 8th Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 8th Street
Trip Plan
Planning for a single-day trip is ideal here, as the 5-hour and 6-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. You only need to account for one stop to break up the journey, though you may want to plan that break around the transition between US 400 and I-135 to maximize your momentum. Since you are covering a significant distance, check your fuel levels before hitting the longest 80.8-mile stretch on I-135 to ensure you stay within your $41 estimated budget. Leaving in the morning will help you avoid fatigue during the final leg into Salina. Keep a steady pace to maintain the efficiency this highway-heavy route is designed to provide.
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 134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salina, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, KS
This is one driving day of about 268.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Baxter Springs, 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 135 for about 80.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.2 mi from Baxter Springs, KS · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 135 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
Arriving in Salina, KS
The final approach into Salina, 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 Salina, 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
$40.78 one way
$81.56 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.96 | $89.92 |
| premium | $4.80 | $50.69 | $101.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.65 | $119.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.19 | $12.89 |
| Efficient EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.49 | $10.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.4 | 1 | $37.59 | $17.18 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Salina, KS
Evening in Salina on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
5h 6m 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 Baxter Springs, KS to Salina, KS covers 268.5 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 135, US 400, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.78 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 268.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (US 69 Alternate; US 400): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Baxter Springs, KS to Salina, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Hutchinson along the way.
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