Origin
Garden City, KS
Late night in Garden City on Monday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
326.2 mi
525 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Good
9 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 16m
★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Garden City, KS
Tien Nguyen
Soldier, KS
Thang Cao
Trip Overview
The drive from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Kansas Avenue, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, KS 156 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.3 miles on East Kansas Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.55 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
163.1 miles from Garden City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 28m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Kansas Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 101.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 50 Business; US 83 Business / North Main Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 28m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 21 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 50 Business; US 83 Business / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 123.4 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 176 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 50 Business; US 83 Business / North Main Street
Turn left onto US 50 Business; US 83 Business / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
123.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
Washington Street
At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
176 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Salina
7
264.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
270.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
US 24 / Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto US 24 / Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
176 mi in
|
~3h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Kansas Avenue | 101.3 mi | 2h 2m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 49.4 mi | 49m |
| KS 156 | 47.9 mi | 55m |
| KS 16 | 33.9 mi | 42m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 27.7 mi | 27m |
| West 14th Street | 19.7 mi | 23m |
| Highway 13 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| KS 18 | 11.3 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
East Kansas Avenue
— 101.3 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garden City, KS and Soldier, KS.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
58 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto US 50 Business; US 83 Business
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto KS 156
101 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
East Kansas Avenue
4
Continue on KS 156
20 mi
·
23 min
·
West 14th Street
5
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Railroad Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
Washington Street
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Railroad Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 281
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
9
Turn right onto US 56; KS 96; KS 156
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
10th Street
10
Turn left onto KS 156
48 mi
·
55 min
·
KS 156
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I-70 East, Salina
12
Merge onto I 70; US 40
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
28 mi
·
27 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto KS 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
KS 18
Toward KS 18 East: Manhattan
15
Turn left onto KS 18
11 mi
·
12 min
·
KS 18
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward KS 113
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on K-113
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
South Seth Child Road
19
Enter roundabout onto US 24
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
20
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto K-13
321 ft
·
3 sec
·
Highway 13
22
Continue on K-13
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 13
23
Continue on KS 16
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
KS 16
24
Continue on KS 16; KS 99
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
KS 16; KS 99
25
Turn right onto KS 16
19 mi
·
25 min
·
KS 16
26
Turn right onto KS 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 63
27
Turn left onto KS 16
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
KS 16
28
Turn left onto KS 62
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
E Road
29
Continue on KS 62
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
1st Street
30
Turn left onto KS 62
497 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jackson Street
31
Arrive at destination
Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.1 miles from Garden City, KS, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 163.1 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Soldier, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garden City, 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 Garden City, KS
This is one driving day of about 326.2 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Garden City, 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 East Kansas Avenue for about 101.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.1 mi from Garden City, KS · 3h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 163.1 miles from Garden City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Kansas Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.3 miles.
Arriving in Soldier, KS
The final approach into Soldier, 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 Soldier, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.55 one way
$99.09 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.62 | $109.24 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.58 | $123.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.47 | $144.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
West's Plaza Country Mart - Tesla Supercharger
Abilene, KS
Tesla
12 DCFC
Abilene, KS Rechargery Relay - Buckeye Ave
Abilene, KS
IONNA
10 DCFC
Holiday Inn Express - Tesla Supercharger
Salina, KS
Tesla
6 DCFC
Casey's Salina (Salina, KS)
Salina, KS
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Flying J 659
Salina, KS
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
24/7 Travel Store #6
Abilene, KS
EV Connect
4 DCFC
Murdock Manhattan
Manhattan, KS
SYNERGEV
2 DCFC
MAX HYUNDAI MAX MOTORS WEST
Manhattan, KS
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
Tesla: 2
ChargePoint Network: 2
Electrify America: 1
eVgo Network: 1
EV Connect: 1
IONNA: 1
SYNERGEV: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.9 | 1 | $34.25 | $15.66 |
| Efficient EV | 81.6 | 0 | $28.54 | $13.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.5 | 1 | $45.67 | $20.88 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Soldier, KS
Late night in Soldier on Monday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Lincoln, KS
163 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
7 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
6h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Kansas Avenue, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, KS 156. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.1 miles from Garden City, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 28m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 21 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 50 Business; US 83 Business / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 123.4 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 176 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Garden City, KS to Soldier, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
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