Origin
Kansas City, KS
Evening in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, KS to Baxter Springs, KS
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
150.9 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baxter Springs, KS
Alexis Cruz
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward journey across the Kansas plains, this 150.9-mile trip from Kansas City to Baxter Springs is an efficient choice. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $23 on fuel for the trek, which stays entirely within the Great Plains region. By utilizing a mix of Overland Parkway, West Atkinson Road, and US 69 Alternate, you get a direct path southward. This route is designed for travelers who prioritize time and practicality over detours, offering a clear, highway-focused experience from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.5 miles from Kansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway travel, with 84% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle in for a significant 109.1-mile stretch along Overland Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your drive. As you transition from the parkway onto West Atkinson Road and US 69 Alternate, the pacing remains consistent and focused on steady progress. Expect a predictable, highway-dominant environment that allows you to cover distance quickly. The character of the road is functional and direct, providing a reliable experience for those who prefer to keep moving toward their destination without constant navigation changes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Overland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Overland Parkway and West Atkinson Road. 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 2h 55m drive. You will face about 9 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 3.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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 none lane.
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
11.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
US 69 / Overland Parkway
Take the exit onto US 69 / Overland Parkway toward US 69 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225B
Toward US 69 South
6
150.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Overland Parkway | 109.1 mi | 1h 58m |
| West Atkinson Road | 18.7 mi | 23m |
| US 69 Alternate | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| I 35 | 8.4 mi | 10m |
| North 7th Street Trafficway | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| US Historic 66 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US 69 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Armstrong Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Overland Parkway
— 109.1 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Baxter Springs, 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
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North 7th Street Trafficway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita
5
Merge onto I 35
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 35
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 69
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
Overland Parkway
Exit 225B
Toward US 69 South
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 69
319 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 69
8
Merge onto US 69; US 160
19 mi
·
23 min
·
West Atkinson Road
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
10
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
11
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
12
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
13
Turn right onto US 166
50 ft
·
0 sec
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
US 166
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the long, uninterrupted stretches can be monotonous. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 109.1-mile leg on Overland Parkway, as that is where the majority of your driving occurs. Because the route is so highway-intensive, check traffic reports for those main corridors before you pull out of your driveway. Having your playlist or podcasts queued up before you hit US 69 Alternate will make the long, steady miles pass much faster.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.5 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 75.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 20m
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 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 150.9 miles and 2h 55m.
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 Overland Parkway for about 109.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.5 mi from Kansas City, KS · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 75.5 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 Overland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 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.
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
$22.92 one way
$45.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.27 | $50.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.52 | $67.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.84 | $7.24 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.20 | $6.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Baxter Springs, KS
Evening in Baxter Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Nevada, MO
75 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
7 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
2h 55m 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 Kansas City, KS to Baxter Springs, KS covers 150.9 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Overland Parkway, West Atkinson Road, US 69 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.5 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 $22.92 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 55m drive. You will face about 9 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 3.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kansas City, KS to Baxter Springs, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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