Origin
Benton, KS
Evening in Benton on Tuesday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
170.3 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
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.
Benton, KS
Zsolt Pujsz
Overland Park, KS
Sam McCool
Embarking from Benton, Kansas, this 170.3-mile journey to Overland Park is a straightforward drive through the heart of the Great Plains, easily manageable in about 3 hours. Primarily utilizing I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a commute. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, so plan for a consistent driving pace. This trip is ideal for those who prefer efficient travel between two points within the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.1 miles from Benton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
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This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 90% of the 170.3 miles spent on major interstates like I-35. Expect a consistent, fast pace for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 98 miles on I-35, so settle in for a long run on this main artery. While the landscape is characteristic of the Great Plains, the road itself offers little deviation from the interstate, providing a predictable and efficient journey from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Kansas Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.5 miles in near Boyer Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 170.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles (Boyer Road): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto Boyer Road
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 98 mi | 1h 41m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 56 mi | 56m |
| Southwest 20th Street | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| West 87th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Santa Fe Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Valley View Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Newton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, KS and Overland Park, KS.
Start on Benton Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right onto KS 254
Take the exit
Merge onto Boyer Road
Take the exit
Turn straight
Merge onto I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West 87th Street
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
Turn right onto Newton Street
Turn left onto Valley View Drive
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
Turn right onto West 81st Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour duration and highway focus, this route is best tackled in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Benton to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Overland Park. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 100 miles, so be mindful of your fuel levels and plan a mid-drive stop if needed. Southwest 20th Street will be your entry into the final destination area, so keep an eye out for that transition. This is a drive where efficiency is key, so enjoy the smooth sailing on the interstate.
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.
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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.1 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, KS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Benton, 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 Benton, KS
This is one driving day of about 170.3 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.1 mi from Benton, KS · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 85.1 miles from Benton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 miles.
The final approach into Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$26.62 one way
$53.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.23 | $58.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.77 | $65.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.60 | $75.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.80
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
$27
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.88 | $8.17 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 Benton on Tuesday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Overland Park on Tuesday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
85 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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