Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
369.2 mi
594 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Photo: Tien Nguyen
The drive from Colby, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 369.2 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Range Avenue, Dwight D, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
184.6 miles from Colby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 13m drive with frequent turns across 369.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Colby, KS to Shawnee, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Range Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kansas Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| College Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Turner Diagonal | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 55th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Inland Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Colby, KS and Shawnee, KS.
Start on West 3rd Street
Turn left onto North Range Avenue
Turn left
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward College Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on Turner Diagonal
Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal
Continue straight
Turn right onto South 55th Street
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Inland Drive
Turn left onto South 59th Street
Turn right onto 47th Street
Turn left onto Bond Street
Arrive at your destination
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 81 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.6 miles or 2h 36m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, KS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Colby, 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 Colby, KS
This is one driving day of about 369.2 miles and 5h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.6 mi from Colby, KS · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 184.6 miles from Colby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$54.81 one way
$109.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $61.82 | $123.64 |
| premium | $4.65 | $67.65 | $135.30 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $77.10 | $154.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.77 | $17.72 |
| Efficient EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.31 | $14.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.7 | 1 | $51.69 | $23.63 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Colby on Saturday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Newton, KS
185 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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