Origin
Bolton, KS
Evening in Bolton on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolton, KS to Shawnee, KS
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
165.2 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bolton, KS
Lewis Ashton
Shawnee, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bolton, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 169, I 35, US 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78 miles on US 169. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
82.6 miles from Bolton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 165.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 169 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 78 miles on US 169.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 78 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 35. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 116.2 miles in near US 59.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 116.2 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.7 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
US 59
Take the exit onto US 59 toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Law...
5
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
|
I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
US 56; US 69; US 169
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
161.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
6
163.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
Nieman Road
Turn right onto Nieman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bolton, KS to Shawnee, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
116.2 mi in
|
~2h 18m
|
via US 59
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 78 mi | 1h 30m |
| I 35 | 35.8 mi | 39m |
| US 59 | 31.9 mi | 35m |
| West Main Street | 10 mi | 15m |
| US 75 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Nieman Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Shawnee Mission Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West 49th Terrace | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 78 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolton, KS and Shawnee, KS.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 75
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 75
3
Continue on US 75; US 160
10 mi
·
15 min
·
West Main Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
5
Turn straight onto US 169
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 169
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 169
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on US 169
33 mi
·
38 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto US 169
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 169
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Enter roundabout onto US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
224 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
12
Continue on US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
13
Take the exit onto US 59
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
Toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
14
Continue on I 35; US 50
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35; US 50
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
106 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Nieman Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 49th Terrace
22
Turn right onto Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bond Street
23
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
Trip Plan
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 82.6 miles from Bolton, KS, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 39m
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 Bolton, 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 Bolton, KS
This is one driving day of about 165.2 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bolton, 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 US 169 for about 78 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.6 mi from Bolton, KS · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 82.6 miles from Bolton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Shawnee, 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
$25.83 one way
$51.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.36 | $56.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.79 | $63.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.47 | $72.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Evening in Shawnee on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 16 to 20 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 3:25PM CDT until April 14 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 3:20PM CDT until April 14 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
54°F
Nevada, MO
83 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
11 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
3h 15m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bolton, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169, I 35, US 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.6 miles from Bolton, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.83 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 116.2 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159 miles (I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.7 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bolton, KS to Shawnee, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
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