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Trip from Lakin, KS to Leavenworth, KS

Drive Time

7h 33m

Distance

397.5 mi

640 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

25 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 24m ★
6 AM
7h 34m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 39m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 28m

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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Downtown Leavenworth, KS, KS

Leavenworth, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Lakin, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 397.5 miles and takes about 7h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on KS 156, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 166.3 miles on KS 156. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.38 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

198.7 miles from Lakin, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Lakin, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 397.5 miles and takes about 7h 33m, 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.
KS 156 is the longest continuous segment at about 166.3 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 26 miles in near KS 156.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 397.5 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 26 miles (KS 156): Lane positioning matters here; at 339.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
26 mi into trip | ~31m in | KS 156

Turn left onto KS 156

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
339.4 mi into trip | ~6h 25m 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
8
380.5 mi into trip | ~7h 7m in

Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 224 Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
381.3 mi into trip | ~7h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
6
381.3 mi into trip | ~7h 9m in | K-7

Turn left onto K-7

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Lakin, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.

Salina

199.2 mi in | ~4h 3m

Kansas City

339.4 mi in | ~6h 25m | via I 70

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
KS 156 166.3 mi 3h 18m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 90.3 mi 1h 32m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 50.5 mi 50m
Kansas Turnpike 40.4 mi 40m
US 50 24.8 mi 28m
K-7 15.5 mi 23m
10th Street 3.8 mi 5m
Railroad Avenue 2.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: KS 156 — 166.3 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakin, KS and Leavenworth, KS.

1

Start on KS 25

0.4 mi · 38 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 50; US 400

25 mi · 28 min · US 50; US 400
3

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
4

Keep slight left at fork

161 ft · 4 sec
5

Turn slight left onto East Mary Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Mary Street
6

Turn left onto KS 156

118 mi · 2 hr 22 min · KS 156
Use the left lane.
7

Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue
8

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

150 ft · 4 sec · Washington Street
9

Keep slight left at fork onto Railroad Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
10

Turn left onto US 281

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
11

Turn right onto US 56; KS 96; KS 156

3.8 mi · 5 min · 10th Street
12

Turn left onto KS 156

48 mi · 55 min · KS 156
13

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I-70 East, Salina
14

Merge onto I 70; US 40

49 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Continue on I 70; US 40

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
19

Continue on I 70

40 mi · 40 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 224 Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

238 ft · 13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing Use the straight / left lanes.
22

Turn left onto K-7

16 mi · 23 min · K-7
Use the straight lane.
23

Turn left onto KS 92

0.6 mi · 1 min · Spruce Street
24

Turn right

277 ft · 20 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.7 miles from Lakin, KS, or about 4h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.3 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 87 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 198.7 miles or 4h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 23m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakin, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lakin, KS

This is one driving day of about 397.5 miles and 7h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Lakin, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on KS 156 for about 166.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 198.7 mi from Lakin, KS · 4h 2m into the drive

Downtown Lincoln, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lincoln, KS

199 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.

Popular next leg

Lincoln, KS to Leavenworth, KS

202.7 mi · 3h 49m

Pacing Suggestions

Hill City, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lincoln, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 198.7 miles from Lakin, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before KS 156 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.3 miles.

Arriving in Leavenworth, KS

The final approach into Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, 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.

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,...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 328.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.38 one way

$120.75 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 139 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $66.56 $133.12
premium $4.80 $75.04 $150.08
diesel $5.64 $88.31 $176.62

Estimated Tolls: $2.02

Kansas Turnpike (40.4 mi) $2.02

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

$60

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

West's Plaza Country Mart - Tesla Supercharger

Abilene, KS

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lawrence Service Area - Tesla Supercharger

Tonganoxie, KS

Tesla

12 DCFC

Abilene, KS Rechargery Relay - Buckeye Ave

Abilene, KS

IONNA

10 DCFC

Arby's - Tesla Supercharger

Topeka, KS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Topeka Service Area - Tesla Supercharger

Topeka, KS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Holiday Inn Express - Tesla Supercharger

Salina, KS

Tesla

6 DCFC

Victory Ford

Kansas City, KS

RED_E

6 DCFC

Casey's Salina (Salina, KS)

Salina, KS

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 Tesla: 5 Blink Network: 2 Electrify America: 2 EV Connect: 2 eVgo Network: 1 IONNA: 1 SYNERGEV: 1 CHARGELAB: 1 RED_E: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.3 1 $41.74 $19.08
Efficient EV 99.4 1 $34.78 $15.90
EV Truck/SUV 159 1 $55.65 $25.44

Gas CO2

139 kg

EV CO2

47 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Lakin, KS

Morning in Lakin on Monday

Local time

10:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Leavenworth, KS

Morning in Leavenworth on Monday

Local time

10:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

44°F

Lincoln, KS

199 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

29 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

7h 33m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lakin, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 397.5 miles and takes about 7h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are KS 156, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 198.7 miles from Lakin, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 18 significant decision points across 397.5 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 26 miles (KS 156): Lane positioning matters here; at 339.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakin, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.

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