Origin
Hill City, KS
Late night in Hill City on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hill City, KS to Lenexa, KS
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
317.1 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 27m
★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hill City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 317.1-mile drive from Hill City, KS to Lenexa, KS will take approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it's best tackled with an early start to comfortably reach your destination. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $50. You'll be navigating primarily on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the South Lawrence Trafficway, with about 5% of the route being on these major roads. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
158.5 miles from Hill City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a route that leans towards a turn-heavy local drive, despite having some highway segments. While 5% of the trip involves major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the overall feel is less of a continuous interstate cruise and more of a connected series of local and state roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 147.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a driving experience with more frequent changes in speed and direction compared to a pure interstate journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 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 147.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 313 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 317.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 313 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 313.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 313.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
313 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
313.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
313.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
7
315 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
316.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hill City, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Lawrence.
Kansas City
262.4 mi in
|
~4h 37m
|
via I 70
Lawrence
277.2 mi in
|
~4h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 147.6 mi | 2h 27m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 90.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| South Lawrence Trafficway | 35.4 mi | 38m |
| South 4th Avenue | 24.7 mi | 36m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Lenexa Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 147.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hill City, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on North Pomeroy Avenue
61 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Pomeroy Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 24
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 283
25 mi
·
36 min
·
South 4th Avenue
4
Continue on US 40 Bus
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 40 Bus
5
Take the ramp onto US 40 Business
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 40 Business
6
Merge onto I 70; US 40
147 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
11
Continue on I 70
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
13
Turn right onto KS 10
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South Lawrence Trafficway
14
Take the exit
391 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
22
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
24
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
25
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 39-minute journey, aim for an early morning departure from Hill City. With a total of 317.1 miles and just one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading into longer stretches, and plan your single stop strategically. Given the route's character, be prepared for more turns and varying road conditions than a typical interstate trip, particularly during the local drive segments. Your estimated fuel cost is $50.
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 158.5 miles from Hill City, KS, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.6 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hill 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 Hill City, KS
This is one driving day of about 317.1 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hill 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 147.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.5 mi from Hill City, KS · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 158.5 miles from Hill City, 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 147.6 miles.
Arriving in Lenexa, KS
The final approach into Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, 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
$49.57 one way
$99.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $54.43 | $108.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $61.02 | $122.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.01 | $140.02 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)
$0.70
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
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.30 | $15.22 |
| Efficient EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.75 | $12.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.8 | 1 | $44.39 | $20.29 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Lenexa, KS
Late night in Lenexa on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Valley Falls, KS
159 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
9 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
5h 39m 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 Hill City, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 317.1 miles and takes about 5h 39m 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, South Lawrence Trafficway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.5 miles from Hill City, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.57 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 317.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 313 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 313.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 313.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hill City, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Lawrence.
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