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Trip from Lakin, KS to Lenexa, KS

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

7h 27m

Distance

385.5 mi

620 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 18m ★
6 AM
7h 28m
8 AM
7h 48m
10 AM
7h 35m
12 PM
7h 33m
3 PM
7h 36m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 22m

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

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Lenexa, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lakin, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 385.5 miles and takes about 7h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on KS 156, I 35, Limestone Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.4 miles on KS 156. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.27 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

192.8 miles from Lakin, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 7h 27m highway drive covering 385.5 miles, with most of the trip on KS 156 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.4 miles on KS 156.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 118.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KS 156 and I 35. 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 23 significant decision points across 385.5 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 288.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 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
288.3 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in

Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
6
288.5 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in

Enter roundabout toward I 35 North: Kansas City

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
7
384.9 mi into trip | ~7h 25m in

Take the exit toward 95th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 224 Toward 95th Street
9
385 mi into trip | ~7h 25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College

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

Use the right lane. Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Lakin, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.

Kansas City

288.3 mi in | ~5h 45m

Wichita

288.3 mi in | ~5h 45m

Topeka

288.3 mi in | ~5h 45m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
KS 156 118.4 mi 2h 22m
I 35 96.1 mi 1h 38m
Limestone Road 52.9 mi 1h 1m
US 50 49.5 mi 58m
East Santa Fe Avenue 35.9 mi 40m
KS 150 16.7 mi 19m
10th Street 10.6 mi 13m
Railroad Avenue 2.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: KS 156 — 118.4 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakin, KS and Lenexa, 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

11 mi · 13 min · 10th Street
12

Continue on US 56; KS 96

36 mi · 40 min · East Santa Fe Avenue
13

Continue on US 56

53 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Limestone Road
14

Enter roundabout onto KS 150

186 ft · 3 sec · KS 150
15

Continue on KS 150

17 mi · 19 min · KS 150
16

Turn left onto US 50

25 mi · 29 min · US 50
17

Enter roundabout

364 ft · 4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
18

Continue

0.2 mi · 10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
19

Enter roundabout

30 ft · 0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
20

Continue

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
21

Merge onto I 35

95 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 35
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines Use the straight lane.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 224 Toward 95th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork

296 ft · 7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College Use the right lane.
25

Turn straight onto West 95th Street

189 ft · 3 sec · West 95th Street
26

Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
27

Turn left onto Rosehill Road

500 ft · 18 sec · Rosehill Road
28

Turn right

71 ft · 10 sec
29

Turn left

256 ft · 18 sec
30

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 192.8 miles from Lakin, KS, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.4 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 85 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 192.8 miles or 3h 54m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, 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 385.5 miles and 7h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 118.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 192.8 mi from Lakin, KS · 3h 54m into the drive

city in and county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, KS

193 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

Newton, KS to Lenexa, KS

168.5 mi · 3h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

Hill City, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lincoln, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 192.8 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 118.4 miles.

Arriving in Lenexa, KS

The final approach into Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, 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

$60.27 one way

$120.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $66.17 $132.34
premium $4.89 $74.19 $148.37
diesel $5.61 $85.11 $170.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 115.6 1 $40.48 $18.50
Efficient EV 96.4 1 $33.73 $15.42
EV Truck/SUV 154.2 1 $53.97 $24.67

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 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 data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Lakin, KS

Morning in Lakin on Wednesday

Local time

6:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lenexa, KS

Morning in Lenexa on Wednesday

Local time

6:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Newton, KS

193 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

14 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

7h 27m 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 Lenexa, KS covers 385.5 miles and takes about 7h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are KS 156, I 35, Limestone Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 192.8 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 $60.27 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 23 significant decision points across 385.5 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 288.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Between Lakin, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.

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