Origin
Hutchinson, KS
Evening in Hutchinson on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hutchinson, KS to Baxter Springs, KS
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
230.9 mi
372 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hutchinson, KS
Tien Nguyen
Baxter Springs, KS
Alexis Cruz
Trip Overview
Spanning 230.9 miles across the Great Plains, this drive from Hutchinson to Baxter Springs takes approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that functions perfectly as a single-day journey, though you should budget about $35 for fuel to cover the distance. You will navigate via a mix of routes including the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, the Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway, and KS 14. Because the entire route remains within the Great Plains region, the landscape maintains a consistent feel throughout. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a reliable connection across the state of Kansas.
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
115.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with more localized travel. With a highway share of only 33%, you will spend the majority of your time on secondary roads rather than high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 70.6-mile segment on the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway. This configuration creates a varied pace that keeps the drive engaging without being overly taxing. You should prepare for a transition between different types of roadway infrastructure as you move from the central plains toward the southeastern corner of the state.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.6 miles in near KS 96.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 230.9 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 45.6 miles (KS 96): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles (KS 96): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles (KS 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
45.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
KS 96
Take the exit onto KS 96 toward I 135 South, KS 96 East, US 81 South, KS 15 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 16A
Toward I 135 South, KS 96 East, US 81 South, KS...
6
46.3 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
KS 96
Take the exit onto KS 96 toward KS 96 East: Hydraulic
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward KS 96 East: Hydraulic
7
46.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
KS 96
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 96 toward KS 96 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward KS 96 East
6
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
KS 96
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 96 toward US 54 East, US 400 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 East, US 400 East
6
230.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
US 166 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto US 166 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 70.6 mi | 1h 22m |
| Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway | 61.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| KS 14 | 41.7 mi | 45m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| KS 96 | 11.9 mi | 15m |
| US 69 | 11 mi | 12m |
| US 69 Alternate | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| North Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
— 70.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hutchinson, KS and Baxter Springs, KS.
1
Start on this road
62 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East 7th Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto West Avenue A
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Avenue A
5
Turn right
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
6
Continue on Woodie Seat Freeway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodie Seat Freeway
7
Continue on North Main Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on KS 14; KS 96
42 mi
·
45 min
·
KS 14; KS 96
Toward Wichita
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto KS 96
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
KS 96
Exit 16A
Toward I 135 South, KS 96 East, US 81 South, KS 15 South
10
Merge onto I 135; US 81; KS 15
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 135; US 81; KS 15
11
Take the exit onto KS 96
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 96
Toward KS 96 East: Hydraulic
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 96
11 mi
·
12 min
·
KS 96
Toward KS 96 East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 96
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 96
Toward US 54 East, US 400 East
14
Merge onto US 54; US 400
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 54; US 400
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 7th Avenue
16
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Continue on US 400
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 400
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 69; US 160; US 400
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 69; US 160; US 400
21
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
22
Enter roundabout onto US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
23
Continue on US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
24
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
25
Turn right onto US 166
50 ft
·
0 sec
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
US 166
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under five hours, you have the flexibility to tackle the route in a single push or break it up with one planned stop. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the significant portion of the drive spent on non-highway roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the longer 70.6-mile stretch to ensure you don't run low between service points. Because this is a single-stop trip, pick a mid-way point that allows you to stretch your legs and reset before finishing the final leg to Baxter Springs. Always check local traffic conditions on the memorial highways before departing to ensure your travel time stays within the projected 4 hour and 34 minute window.
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 115.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter Springs, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hutchinson, 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 Hutchinson, KS
This is one driving day of about 230.9 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hutchinson, 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 Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway for about 70.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.4 mi from Hutchinson, KS · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
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 115.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.6 miles.
Arriving in Baxter Springs, KS
The final approach into Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, 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
$35.07 one way
$70.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.66 | $77.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.59 | $87.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.30 | $102.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.24 | $11.08 |
| Efficient EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.20 | $9.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.33 | $14.78 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Baxter Springs, KS
Evening in Baxter Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
14 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 34m 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 Hutchinson, KS to Baxter Springs, KS covers 230.9 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway, KS 14. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.07 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 16 significant decision points across 230.9 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 45.6 miles (KS 96): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles (KS 96): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles (KS 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hutchinson, KS to Baxter Springs, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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