Origin
Hesston, KS
Evening in Hesston on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hesston, KS to Hutchinson, KS
Drive Time
52m
Distance
32.5 mi
52 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hesston, KS
Wolfgang Weiser
Hutchinson, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition across the Great Plains, the 32.5-mile journey from Hesston to Hutchinson is a straightforward trek. Expect to spend about 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route primarily follows West Dutch Avenue, the Ken Kennedy Freeway, and East 82nd Avenue. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this drive is highly economical for travelers moving between these two Kansas hubs. Since you are staying within the same region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. It is a practical, efficient connection that serves well for commuters or those simply looking to reach their destination without a lengthy time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
16.3 miles from Hesston, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise. While 24 miles of the trip are spent on highways, the character of the road shifts frequently as you navigate local segments. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 13.9 miles along West Dutch Avenue, providing a brief period of steady cruising. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you will experience a more tactical driving environment compared to a standard interstate sprint. Stay alert through the turns, as the road surface and traffic flow change as you transition between the freeway and secondary avenues.
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.
West Dutch Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 13.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.6 miles in near Lincoln Boulevard.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hesston, KS to Hutchinson, KS is easy. At 52m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Lincoln Boulevard
Turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
23.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
32 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
North Maple Street
Turn left onto North Maple Street
Navigation decision point
5
32.3 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
East 7th Avenue
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
32.5 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Dutch Avenue | 13.9 mi | 24m |
| Ken Kennedy Freeway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| East 82nd Avenue | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| East 11th Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East 85th Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lincoln Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Hesston Road, Old US 81 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Medora Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Dutch Avenue
— 13.9 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hesston, KS and Hutchinson, KS.
1
Start on Hesston Road, Old US 81
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Hesston Road, Old US 81
2
Continue on North Hesston Road, Old US 81
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Hesston Road, Old US 81
3
Turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Lincoln Boulevard
4
Continue on West Dutch Avenue
14 mi
·
24 min
·
West Dutch Avenue
5
Continue on East 82nd Avenue
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
East 82nd Avenue
6
Continue on North Mayfield Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Mayfield Road
7
Continue on East 85th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 85th Avenue
8
Continue on Medora Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Medora Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
10
Merge onto KS 61
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Ken Kennedy Freeway
11
Turn right onto East 11th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 11th Avenue
12
Turn left onto North Maple Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Maple Street
13
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 7th Avenue
14
Turn right
62 ft
·
4 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 52-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex rest stops or meal planning, as the duration is manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that because the route includes significant local road travel, you should account for potential turns and intersections that might slow your progress. Setting aside $5 for fuel is more than enough to cover the distance comfortably. For the smoothest experience, check your navigation before leaving Hesston, as the transition between the Ken Kennedy Freeway and East 82nd Avenue requires paying close attention to your turn-by-turn directions.
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 16.3 miles from Hesston, KS, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.9 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 32.5 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.3 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hutchinson, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hesston, 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 Hesston, KS
This is one driving day of about 32.5 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hesston, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on West Dutch Avenue for about 13.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.3 mi from Hesston, KS · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Hesston, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hutchinson, KS
The final approach into Hutchinson, 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 Hutchinson, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.94 one way
$9.87 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.14 | $12.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.22 | $14.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Hutchinson, KS
Evening in Hutchinson on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Newton, KS
16 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
20 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
52m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hesston, KS to Hutchinson, KS covers 32.5 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Dutch Avenue, Ken Kennedy Freeway, East 82nd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.3 miles from Hesston, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.94 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 Hesston, KS to Hutchinson, KS is easy. At 52m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hesston, KS to Hutchinson, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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