Trip from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

119 mi

191 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

7 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 55m ★

6 AM

2h 4m

8 AM

2h 21m

10 AM

2h 10m

12 PM

2h 8m

3 PM

2h 11m

5 PM

2h 21m

8 PM

1h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Hays, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Abilene, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Buckeye Avenue, North Vine Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.4 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.60 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.

Midpoint

59.5 miles from Hays, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	115.4 mi	1h 55m
North Buckeye Avenue	1.5 mi	3m
North Vine Street	0.8 mi	1m
Main Street	0.5 mi	1m
West 27th Street	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 115.4 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hays, KS and Abilene, KS.

Start on this road

292 ft · 26 sec · this road

Turn left onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Main Street

Continue on Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn right onto West 27th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West 27th Street

Turn left onto US 183

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Vine Street

Enter roundabout onto US 183

346 ft · 8 sec · North Vine Street

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Vine Street

Enter roundabout onto US 183

127 ft · 2 sec · North Vine Street

Continue on US 183

342 ft · 8 sec · North Vine Street

Continue on US 183

14 ft · 0 sec · North Vine Street

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Merge onto I 70; US 40

115 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 275 Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto KS 15

1.5 mi · 3 min · North Buckeye Avenue

Arrive at destination

KS 15

Trip Plan

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 59.5 miles from Hays, KS, or about 1h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.4 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 26 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.5 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Abilene, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hays, 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 Hays, KS

This is one driving day of about 119 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hays, KS.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 115.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellsworth, KS

60 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

Victoria, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellsworth, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Hays, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

TRIO Tap House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hays, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17856212221

Visit website

Pheasant Run | Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hays, Kansas

1 mi

TRIO Tap House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17856212221

Visit website

Pheasant Run | Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17856281044

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17856214443

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 117.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | West 27th Street

Turn right onto West 27th Street

Navigation decision point

1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 183 / North Vine Street

Enter roundabout onto US 183 / North Vine Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 183 / North Vine Street

Enter roundabout onto US 183 / North Vine Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

117.2 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 275 Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.60 one way

$37.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.43	$40.85
premium	$4.89	$22.90	$45.80
diesel	$5.61	$26.27	$52.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

EVgo Charging Station

Salina, Kansas

EVgo

1 DCFC

IONNA Charging Station

Abilene, Kansas

Other

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Hays, Kansas

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Salina, Kansas

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Hays, Kansas

Rivian

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Abilene, Kansas

EV Connect

1 DCFC

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Hays, Kansas

InCharge

1 DCFC

Electrify America: 2 EVgo: 1 Other: 1 Rivian: 1 EV Connect: 1 InCharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.7	$12.49	$5.71
Efficient EV	29.8	$10.41	$4.76
EV Truck/SUV	47.6	$16.66	$7.62

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hays, KS

Afternoon in Hays on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Abilene, KS

Afternoon in Abilene on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Ellsworth, KS

60 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

31 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 3m 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?

Expect a 2h 3m drive with frequent turns across 119 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 115.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS is easy. At 2h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (West 27th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (US 183 / North Vine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 119 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Buckeye Avenue, North Vine Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.5 miles from Hays, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.60 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 Hays, KS to Abilene, KS is easy. At 2h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The route from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

TRIO Tap House

TRIO Tap House

Pheasant Run | Pancake House

IONNA Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Rivian Adventure Network

EVgo Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Arcade 11 Bar & Restaurant

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hays, KS

Abilene, KS

Same local time

31 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 3m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Hays, KS to Abilene, KS?

How this page is built

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