Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Kansas City, KS to Salem, KS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 18m

Distance

267.3 mi

430 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Salem, KS, KS

Salem, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Kansas City, KS to Salem, KS covers 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 69, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Gold Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.3 miles on US 69. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.79 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

133.6 miles from Kansas City, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 267.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Kansas City, KS to Salem, KS covers 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Armstrong Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 15 key points

These 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 70 / Kansas Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina

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-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
5
109 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward Manhattan, Council Grove

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Manhattan, Council Grove

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Kansas City, KS and Salem, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Manhattan and Council Grove.

Salina

55.6 mi in | ~59m | via I 70

Manhattan

109 mi in | ~1h 55m

Council Grove

109 mi in | ~1h 55m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 69 54.3 mi 56m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 52.4 mi 54m
Gold Road 36.8 mi 44m
Eagle Road 24.2 mi 27m
18th Road 19.7 mi 22m
KS 181 19.2 mi 22m
Tuttle Creek Boulevard 15.2 mi 19m
Madison Road 9.1 mi 10m
Longest stretch: US 69 — 54.3 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Salem, 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 right at fork onto I 70

0.9 mi · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 70

52 mi · 54 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward Manhattan, Council Grove
8

Turn right onto KS 177

8.3 mi · 9 min · KS 177
9

Take the exit onto KS 177; KS 18

0.2 mi · 42 sec · KS 177; KS 18
Toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard
10

Continue on KS 177

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Fort Riley Boulevard
11

Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard

5.7 mi · 8 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12

Enter roundabout onto US 24

232 ft · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
13

Continue on US 24

0.9 mi · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
14

Enter roundabout onto US 24

161 ft · 1 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
15

Continue on US 24

8.6 mi · 10 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
16

Turn left onto US 24; US 77

9.1 mi · 10 min · Madison Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto KS 82

4.0 mi · 4 min · Cavalry Road
18

Turn left onto US 24

2.5 mi · 2 min · Barton Road
19

Continue on US 24

7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road
20

Continue on US 24

2.2 mi · 4 min · Crawford Street
21

Continue on US 24

12 mi · 13 min · 18th Road
22

Continue on US 24

24 mi · 27 min · Eagle Road
23

Continue on US 24

3.3 mi · 3 min · Dove Road
24

Continue on US 24

1.4 mi · 1 min · Elk Road
25

Continue on US 24

1.5 mi · 1 min · Fox Road
26

Continue on US 24

37 mi · 44 min · Gold Road
27

Turn right onto KS 181

19 mi · 22 min · KS 181
28

Continue on US 281

6.3 mi · 7 min · US 281
29

Turn right onto 100 Road

1.5 mi · 5 min · 100 Road
30

Turn slight right

2.0 mi · 7 min
31

Turn right onto 20 Road

0.6 mi · 2 min · 20 Road
32

Arrive at destination

20 Road

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 133.6 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 267.3 miles and 5h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 US 69 for about 54.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 133.6 mi from Kansas City, KS · 2h 27m into the drive

city in Riley and Pottawatomie counties in Kansas, United States, county seat of Riley County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Manhattan, KS

134 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

Valley Falls, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Manhattan, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.6 miles from Kansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Salem, KS

The final approach into Salem, 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 Salem, KS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 64.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.79 one way

$83.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.88 $91.77
premium $4.89 $51.44 $102.88
diesel $5.61 $59.02 $118.03

Estimated Tolls: $0.05

Kansas Turnpike (0.9 mi) $0.05

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

$42

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.2 0 $28.07 $12.83
Efficient EV 66.8 0 $23.39 $10.69
EV Truck/SUV 106.9 1 $37.42 $17.11

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, KS

Afternoon in Kansas City on Thursday

Local time

2:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salem, KS

Afternoon in Salem on Thursday

Local time

2:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Manhattan, KS

134 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

6 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

5h 18m 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 Salem, KS covers 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 69, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Gold Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.6 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 $41.79 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Between Kansas City, KS and Salem, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Manhattan and Council Grove.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Salem, KS to Kansas City, KS

Plan the drive back the other way.

267.7 mi 5h 19m

Continue From Salem, KS

Leawood, KS 273.4 mi · 5h 30m Leavenworth, KS 227.9 mi · 5h 1m Fort Dodge, KS 215.7 mi · 4h 38m Derby, KS 214.8 mi · 4h 11m

More from Kansas City, KS

Hugoton, KS 421.6 mi · 7h 58m Colby, KS 371.4 mi · 6h 20m Dodge City, KS 333.9 mi · 6h 11m Attica, KS 259.7 mi · 5h 4m Cheney, KS 223.1 mi · 3h 57m Prospect, KS 204 mi · 3h 36m

More trips to Salem, KS

Pittsburg, KS 367.8 mi Leawood, KS 273.6 mi Overland Park, KS 271.5 mi Fort Dodge, KS 215.8 mi Derby, KS 214.5 mi Junction City, KS 147 mi
Overnight trips from Kansas City, KS Scenic drives in KS

Explore more options from Kansas City, KS or browse trips ending in Salem, KS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.

Explore maps for Kansas City, KS or Salem, KS on MapSof.net.