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Trip from La Crosse, KS to Shawnee, KS

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

5h 1m

Distance

274 mi

441 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 48m ★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 274 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Kansas Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.3 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.84 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

137 miles from La Crosse, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 274 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from La Crosse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 274 miles and takes about 5h 1m, 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 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.3 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 9th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 274 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 (9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 9th Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

Navigation decision point

5
77.7 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Salina
6
218 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in | I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
5
267.4 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in

Take the exit toward College Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 415 Toward College Parkway
8
267.6 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Turner Diagonal

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Turner Diagonal

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between La Crosse, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.

Salina

77.7 mi in | ~1h 34m

Kansas City

218 mi in | ~3h 57m | via I 70

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 90.3 mi 1h 32m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 50.5 mi 50m
Kansas Turnpike 48.7 mi 49m
KS 156 32.3 mi 37m
16th Street 29.1 mi 33m
West 9th Street 15.5 mi 19m
South 59th Street 2.8 mi 5m
Turner Diagonal 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — 90.3 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, KS and Shawnee, KS.

1

Start on Peace Street

73 ft · 8 sec · Peace Street
2

Turn left onto 9th Street

326 ft · 18 sec · 9th Street
3

Turn right onto US 183

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
4

Turn right onto KS 4

29 mi · 33 min · 16th Street
5

Continue on US 281; KS 4

16 mi · 19 min · West 9th Street
6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 50 sec
7

Turn straight onto KS 156

32 mi · 37 min · KS 156
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I-70 East, Salina
9

Merge onto I 70; US 40

49 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
14

Continue on I 70

49 mi · 49 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 415 Toward College Parkway
16

Keep slight right at fork

390 ft · 9 sec
Toward Turner Diagonal Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal

1.2 mi · 1 min · Turner Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on KS 32

1.0 mi · 1 min · KS 32
19

Turn right onto South 55th Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South 55th Street
20

Turn slight right

168 ft · 7 sec
Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn straight onto Inland Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Inland Drive
22

Turn left onto South 59th Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · South 59th Street
23

Turn right onto 47th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 47th Street
24

Turn left onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Bond Street
25

Arrive at destination

Bond Street

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 137 miles from La Crosse, KS, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137 miles or 2h 34m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, KS

This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from La Crosse, 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 90.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 137 mi from La Crosse, KS · 2h 34m 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

137 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

Lincoln, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137 miles from La Crosse, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.3 miles.

Arriving in Shawnee, KS

The final approach into Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, 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,...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 217.3
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.84 one way

$85.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.03 $94.07
premium $4.89 $52.73 $105.46
diesel $5.61 $60.50 $120.99

Estimated Tolls: $2.43

Kansas Turnpike (48.7 mi) $2.43

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

$43

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.2 1 $28.77 $13.15
Efficient EV 68.5 0 $23.97 $10.96
EV Truck/SUV 109.6 1 $38.36 $17.54

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, KS

Evening in La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

8:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Evening in Shawnee on Thursday

Local time

8:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Manhattan, KS

137 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

12 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 1m 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 La Crosse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 274 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Kansas Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137 miles from La Crosse, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.84 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 274 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 (9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Crosse, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.

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