Origin
Leavenworth, KS
Night in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leavenworth, KS to Kansas City, KS
Drive Time
45m
Distance
32.4 mi
52 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leavenworth, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Great Plains, the 32.4-mile trip from Leavenworth to Kansas City is an efficient option. Expect to spend about 45 minutes on the road, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Main Street, South 4th Street, and the Kansas Turnpike to bridge these two Kansas locations. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an extremely economical route for your travel plans. Since both cities are located within the same region, you can anticipate a consistent landscape throughout your transit. Ultimately, this straightforward connection offers a practical way to move between the two hubs without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
16.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 32.4-mile stretch offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you moving through both local streets and faster segments. About 45% of your travel occurs on highways, which helps maintain a steady pace as you transition between the cities. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Kansas Turnpike, covering 13.7 miles of the total distance. Navigating the transition from South 4th Street to the turnpike changes the feel of the drive from local urban traffic to a more open, high-speed environment. It is a functional drive that balances the pace of a commute with the efficiency of a major thoroughfare.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 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 0.6 miles in near US 73; K-7 / South 4th Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 32.4 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 0.6 miles (US 73; K-7 / South 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (US 24; US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 73; K-7 / South 4th Street
Turn right onto US 73; K-7 / South 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
16.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 24; US 40
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
5
16.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69...
9
30.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 69
Take the exit onto US 69 toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 422A
Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 13.7 mi | 14m |
| North Main Street | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| South 4th Street | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| South 7th Street Trafficway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Spruce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 24 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 70 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 69 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 13.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Kansas City, KS.
1
Start on this road
277 ft
·
25 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spruce Street
3
Turn right onto US 73; K-7
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South 4th Street
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 73; K-7
12 mi
·
16 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 24; US 40
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
8
Take the exit onto US 69
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 69
Exit 422A
Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 69
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft
·
17 sec
·
Armstrong Avenue
11
Turn left
149 ft
·
10 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 45-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. You can comfortably complete the entire 32.4-mile journey without any planned stops, allowing you to reach your destination quickly. Keep in mind that with $5 of fuel, you should ensure your tank is ready before heading out, as there are no mandated breaks on this short path. Since the route relies on a mix of local roads and the Kansas Turnpike, stay alert when shifting from the surface streets of North Main Street to the highway environment. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Kansas City.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 16.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 32.4 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.2 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, KS
This is one driving day of about 32.4 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Leavenworth, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 13.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.2 mi from Leavenworth, KS · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kansas City, KS
The final approach into Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.92 one way
$9.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.43 | $10.85 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.12 | $12.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
Kansas Turnpike
(13.7 mi)
$0.69
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Kansas City, KS
Night in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Kansas City, KS covers 32.4 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, North Main Street, South 4th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 32.4 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 0.6 miles (US 73; K-7 / South 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (US 24; US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Leavenworth, KS to Kansas City, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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