Origin
Hays, KS
Evening in Hays on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hays, KS to Leavenworth, KS
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
265.9 mi
428 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hays, KS
Petr Ganaj
Leavenworth, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hays to Leavenworth covers 265.9 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, and the Kansas Turnpike. Budgeting approximately $40 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. This drive serves as a straightforward connection between the western and eastern reaches of Kansas, offering a practical way to traverse the region efficiently.
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
133 miles from Hays, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving conditions on this trip, which feels more like a turn-heavy local drive than a simple interstate cruise. Only 15% of your time will be spent on major highways, meaning you will frequently transition between different types of roadways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, where you will cover 116.5 miles. As you move away from the initial highway segments, the route requires more active attention to navigation and turns. This variation keeps you engaged behind the wheel as you cross the plains, moving away from the predictability of long, straight highway miles.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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 116.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 265.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 207.9 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
207.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
8
249 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
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 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
249.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
6
249.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
K-7
Turn left onto K-7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Hays, KS to Leavenworth, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
207.9 mi in
|
~3h 32m
|
via I 70
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 116.5 mi | 1h 56m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 90.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 40.4 mi | 40m |
| K-7 | 15.5 mi | 23m |
| North Vine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Spruce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West 27th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 116.5 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
1
Start on this road
292 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West 27th Street
5
Turn left onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Vine Street
6
Enter roundabout onto US 183
346 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Vine Street
7
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Vine Street
8
Enter roundabout onto US 183
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Vine Street
9
Continue on US 183
342 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Vine Street
10
Continue on US 183
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Vine Street
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
12
Merge onto I 70; US 40
115 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
17
Continue on I 70
40 mi
·
40 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft
·
13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi
·
23 min
·
K-7
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spruce Street
22
Turn right
277 ft
·
20 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for at least one dedicated stop will help break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when you are on the longer stretches, as the $40 cost estimate assumes consistent travel. Because this route involves a higher volume of local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns that differ from typical highway driving. Use your one planned stop to stretch your legs and reset before tackling the turn-heavy sections of the route. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 265.9-mile journey feel significantly shorter and more comfortable.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133 miles from Hays, KS, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, 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 265.9 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hays, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 116.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133 mi from Hays, KS · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 133 miles from Hays, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.5 miles.
Arriving in Leavenworth, KS
The final approach into Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, 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
$40.39 one way
$80.77 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.52 | $89.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $50.20 | $100.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.07 | $118.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Kansas Turnpike
(40.4 mi)
$2.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.92 | $12.76 |
| Efficient EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.4 | 1 | $37.23 | $17.02 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Leavenworth, KS
Evening in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
133 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
22 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
4h 40m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hays, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 265.9 miles and takes about 4h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Kansas Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133 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 $40.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 265.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 207.9 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hays, KS to Leavenworth, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
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