Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Hays, KS to Osage County, KS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 4m

Distance

229 mi

368 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 51m ★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Kansas, United States

Hays, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Osage County, KS, KS

Osage County, KS

Efrem Efre

Trip Overview

The drive from Hays, KS to Osage County, KS covers 229 miles and takes about 4h 4m 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, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, US 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.80 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

114.5 miles from Hays, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 229 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (13%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 4m drive with frequent turns across 229 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 4m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 183 / North Vine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 197.3 miles (I 470): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These 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

5
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

5
197.3 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | I 470

Take the exit onto I 470 toward I 470 South, US 75 South

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

Toward I 470 South, US 75 South
5
202.9 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | US 75

Keep slight right at fork onto US 75 toward US 75 South: Burlingame Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 75 South: Burlingame Road
5
228.4 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in | South Lewelling Road

At end of road, turn left onto South Lewelling Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 116.5 mi 1h 56m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 79 mi 1h 19m
US 75 23.2 mi 25m
I 470 5.6 mi 7m
West 217th Street 2.3 mi 8m
North Vine Street 0.8 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
South Lewelling Road 0.5 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 Osage County, 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

4.3 mi · 4 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16

Take the exit onto I 470

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 470
Toward I 470 South, US 75 South
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 75

23 mi · 25 min · US 75
Toward US 75 South: Burlingame Road
18

Turn right onto West 217th Street

2.3 mi · 8 min · West 217th Street
19

At end of road, turn left onto South Lewelling Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Lewelling Road
20

Continue on West 221st Street

379 ft · 16 sec · West 221st Street
21

Arrive at destination

West 221st Street

Trip Plan

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 114.5 miles from Hays, KS, or about 1h 57m 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 50 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 114.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osage County, 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 229 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 114.5 mi from Hays, KS · 1h 57m into the drive

city in and county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Junction City, KS

115 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.

Popular next leg

Junction City, KS to Osage County, KS

89.6 mi · 1h 44m

Pacing Suggestions

Lincoln, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salina, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.5 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 116.5 miles.

Arriving in Osage County, KS

The final approach into Osage County, 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 Osage County, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 205.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.80 one way

$71.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.31 $78.62
premium $4.89 $44.07 $88.14
diesel $5.61 $50.56 $101.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.7 0 $24.04 $10.99
Efficient EV 57.3 0 $20.04 $9.16
EV Truck/SUV 91.6 1 $32.06 $14.66

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hays, KS

Evening in Hays on Thursday

Local time

5:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Osage County, KS

Evening in Osage County on Thursday

Local time

5:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

26 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

4h 4m 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 Osage County, KS covers 229 miles and takes about 4h 4m 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, US 75. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.5 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 $35.80 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 is a straightforward 4h 4m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 183 / North Vine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 197.3 miles (I 470): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Hays, KS to Osage County, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Osage County, KS

Overland Park, KS 77.3 mi · 1h 43m

More from Hays, KS

Fort Scott, KS 317.8 mi · 5h 53m Leavenworth, KS 265.9 mi · 4h 40m Kansas City, KS 265.4 mi · 4h 35m Fairmount, KS 258.9 mi · 4h 29m Atchison, KS 255.1 mi · 4h 30m Madison, KS 229.3 mi · 4h 21m

More trips to Osage County, KS

Shawnee, KS 81.1 mi Lenexa, KS 73.7 mi
Overnight trips from Hays, KS Scenic drives in KS

Explore more options from Hays, KS or browse trips ending in Osage County, KS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.

Explore maps for Hays, KS or Osage County, KS on MapSof.net.