Origin
Fredonia, KS
Afternoon in Fredonia on Saturday
Local time
12:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fredonia, KS to Shawnee, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
147.3 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fredonia, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Shawnee, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 147.3-mile drive from Fredonia, Kansas, to Shawnee, Kansas, will take you about 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on US 169 and I-35, with a short section of US 59. With 97% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, and you'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way. This journey stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape as you make your way north.
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
73.6 miles from Fredonia, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 44.2 mi | 50m |
| I 35 | 35.8 mi | 39m |
| US 59 | 31.9 mi | 35m |
| US 75 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| KS 39 | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| KS 47 | 8 mi | 14m |
| Nieman Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Washington Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 44.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fredonia, KS and Shawnee, KS.
1
Start on North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
North 7th Street
2
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Street
3
Enter roundabout onto KS 47
181 ft
·
2 sec
·
KS 47
4
Continue on KS 47
8.0 mi
·
14 min
·
KS 47
5
Turn left onto US 75
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 75
6
Turn right onto KS 39
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
KS 39
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on KS 39
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
KS 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Continue on KS 39
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
KS 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 169 North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 169
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 169
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 169
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
224 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
14
Continue on US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
15
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
16
Continue on I 35; US 50
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35; US 50
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork
106 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Nieman Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 49th Terrace
24
Turn right onto Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bond Street
25
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 3 hours, this drive from Fredonia to Shawnee is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Fredonia in the morning to enjoy the full day in Shawnee. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town break is 44.2 miles on US 169. While only one stop is officially noted, you'll find services along I-35 should you need them. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is a good benchmark for budgeting.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.6 miles from Fredonia, KS, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m
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 Fredonia, 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 Fredonia, KS
This is one driving day of about 147.3 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fredonia, 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 44.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.6 miles from Fredonia, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 21.1 and 143.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
KS 39
Turn right onto KS 39
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
31.7 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Turn left toward US 169 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward US 169 North
6
98.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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...
8
143.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.03 one way
$46.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.28 | $50.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.35 | $56.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.52 | $65.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.47 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
12:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
1 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 55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 147.3 miles spent on major roadways like US 169, I-35, and US 59. You'll experience a longest stretch of 44.2 miles on US 169, providing a solid block of uninterrupted highway time. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced, designed for covering distance efficiently. Expect the road to remain consistent, largely remaining on these main arteries as you progress toward Shawnee.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.2 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 35. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in near KS 39.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 147.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 21.1 miles (KS 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 98.3 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fredonia, KS to Shawnee, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
98.3 mi in
|
~1h 58m
|
via US 59
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 147.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.2 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Shawnee, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.1 miles (KS 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 98.3 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Shawnee, KS before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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