Origin
De Soto, KS
Evening in De Soto on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS
Data updated 1 second ago
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
157.7 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
De Soto, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Salina, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 157.7-mile journey from De Soto, Kansas, to Salina, Kansas, is a manageable day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on local roads, including Ottawa Street, Lexington Avenue, and KS 10 West, with no highway driving to speak of. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24. Given its relatively short duration and local road profile, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Great Plains region, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
78.9 miles from De Soto, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 157.7-mile trip, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating city streets and county roads for the full 2 hours and 21 minutes. The route is characterized by frequent turns and changes in speed, rather than long stretches of uninterrupted driving. You won't encounter any particularly long stretches of highway, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience with constant adjustments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ottawa Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is easy. At 2h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lexington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| KS 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kansas Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| KS 143 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 9th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Ottawa Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Soto, KS and Salina, KS.
1
Start on West 82nd Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
West 82nd Street
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ottawa Street
3
Turn right onto Lexington Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lexington Avenue
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lexington Avenue
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
Lexington Avenue
5
Exit the roundabout onto Lexington Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Lexington Avenue
6
Take the ramp right toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
KS 10 West: Lawrence
7
Merge slight left
24 mi
·
27 min
8
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
10
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
11
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
92 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit slight right toward KS 143
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
KS 143
14
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North 9th Street
15
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
279 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Iron Avenue
16
Turn right onto South 8th Street
92 ft
·
4 sec
·
South 8th Street
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of just over 2 hours, this 157.7-mile route from De Soto to Salina is best tackled as a single-day excursion. You can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time in Salina, and keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and stops are not a planned feature of this route. Since it's a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is set up before you leave De Soto to smoothly navigate the local roads.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 78.9 miles from De Soto, KS, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 56m
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 De Soto, 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 De Soto, KS
This is one driving day of about 157.7 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from De Soto, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.9 mi from De Soto, KS · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 78.9 miles from De Soto, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$24.65 one way
$49.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.07 | $54.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.35 | $60.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.82 | $69.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 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 | 47.3 | 0 | $16.56 | $7.57 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.08 | $10.09 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Salina, KS
Evening in Salina on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
79 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
6 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
2h 21m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS covers 157.7 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ottawa Street, Lexington Avenue, KS 10 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.9 miles from De Soto, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is easy. At 2h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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