Origin
Lakin, KS
Morning in Lakin on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakin, KS to Shawnee, KS
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
395.4 mi
636 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 20m
★
6 AM
7h 30m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 37m
12 PM
7h 35m
3 PM
7h 38m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lakin, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 395.4 miles and takes about 7h 29m 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 highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 166.3 miles on KS 156. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.82 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
197.7 miles from Lakin, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 7h 29m highway drive covering 395.4 miles, with most of the trip on KS 156 and Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 166.3 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 166.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KS 156 and Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. 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 21 significant decision points across 395.4 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 146.5 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 199.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese 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.
5
146.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
Washington Street
At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
199.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Salina
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
389 mi into trip
|
~7h 16m 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 Lakin, KS and Shawnee, 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 | 48.7 mi | 49m |
| US 50 | 24.8 mi | 28m |
| 10th Street | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| South 59th Street | 2.8 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 Shawnee, 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
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 415
Toward College Parkway
21
Keep slight right at fork
390 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Turner Diagonal
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Turner Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on KS 32
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 32
24
Turn right onto South 55th Street
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South 55th Street
25
Turn slight right
168 ft
·
7 sec
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto Inland Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Inland Drive
27
Turn left onto South 59th Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South 59th Street
28
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
47th Street
29
Turn left onto Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Bond Street
30
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
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 197.7 miles from Lakin, KS, or about 4h 1m 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 197.7 miles or 4h 1m 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 21m
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 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 395.4 miles and 7h 29m.
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 197.7 mi from Lakin, KS · 4h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 197.7 miles from Lakin, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before KS 156 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.3 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.
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
$61.82 one way
$123.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $67.87 | $135.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $76.09 | $152.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.30 | $174.60 |
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
$62
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.52 | $18.98 |
| Efficient EV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.60 | $15.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.2 | 1 | $55.36 | $25.31 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Morning in Shawnee on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Lincoln, KS
198 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
13 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 29m 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 Shawnee, KS covers 395.4 miles and takes about 7h 29m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 197.7 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 $61.82 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 21 significant decision points across 395.4 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 146.5 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 199.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakin, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.
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