Origin
Kansas City, KS
Late night in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
5:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, KS to Arkansas City, KS
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
230.4 mi
371 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arkansas City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Kansas City, KS to Arkansas City, KS covers 230.4 miles and takes about 4h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Kansas Turnpike, US 69, Walnut Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.9 miles on Kansas Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.02 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
115.2 miles from Kansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 15m highway drive covering 230.4 miles, with most of the trip on Kansas Turnpike and US 69. The longest continuous stretch is about 107.9 miles on Kansas Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 107.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 69. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Armstrong Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway
Turn right onto US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 69
Take the ramp onto US 69 toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69...
8
55.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470 / Kansas Turnpike toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
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 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
5
230.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
East Central Avenue
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kansas City, KS to Arkansas City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Wichita along the way.
Wichita
55.6 mi in
|
~59m
|
via I 470
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 107.9 mi | 1h 47m |
| US 69 | 54.3 mi | 56m |
| Walnut Street | 30.4 mi | 37m |
| North Main Street | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Main Street | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| US 54 | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Walnut Valley Green Way | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| North 7th Street Trafficway | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 107.9 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Arkansas City, KS.
1
Start on this road
149 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft
·
14 sec
·
Armstrong Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 69
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North 7th Street Trafficway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto US 69
54 mi
·
56 min
·
US 69
Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470
108 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 77: El Dorado
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 77
13 mi
·
18 min
·
North Main Street
8
Take the exit onto US 54; US 77
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
US 54; US 77
9
Turn left onto US 77
30 mi
·
37 min
·
Walnut Street
10
Continue on US 77; KS 15
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Main Street
11
Turn left onto US 77
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
12
Enter roundabout onto US 77; US 166
193 ft
·
3 sec
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
13
Continue on US 77; US 166
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Valley Green Way
14
Turn right onto East Chestnut Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chestnut Avenue
15
Turn left onto North C Street
443 ft
·
14 sec
·
North C Street
16
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Central Avenue
17
Turn left
120 ft
·
8 sec
18
Arrive at destination
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 115.2 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.9 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 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 1h 59m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kansas 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 Kansas City, KS
This is one driving day of about 230.4 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kansas 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 107.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.2 mi from Kansas City, KS · 1h 59m 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 115.2 miles from Kansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.9 miles.
Arriving in Arkansas City, KS
The final approach into Arkansas City, 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 Arkansas City, 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
$36.02 one way
$72.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.55 | $79.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.87 | $101.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.40
Kansas Turnpike
(107.9 mi)
$5.40
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
$36
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.26 | $14.75 |
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
Arkansas City, KS
Late night in Arkansas City on Wednesday
Local time
5:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Newton, KS
115 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
4 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 15m 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 Kansas City, KS to Arkansas City, KS covers 230.4 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, US 69, Walnut Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.2 miles from Kansas City, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.02 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 15m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Kansas City, KS to Arkansas City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Wichita along the way.
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