Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Leavenworth, KS to La Crosse, KS

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

276.4 mi

445 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 51m ★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Leavenworth, KS, KS

Leavenworth, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to La Crosse, KS covers 276.4 miles and takes about 5h 4m 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, KS 4 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.6 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.98 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

138.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to La Crosse, KS covers 276.4 miles and takes about 5h 4m, 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 17 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 91.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 4m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7
15.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Turn left toward I 70 West: Topeka

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 70 West: Topeka
5
16.1 mi into trip | ~24m 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 straight lane.
8
56.3 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 70 / Kansas Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
5
198.2 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend

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

Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
5
231.1 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in

Turn sharp left

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Towns Along This Route

Between Leavenworth, KS and La Crosse, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Ellsworth and Great Bend.

Salina

56.3 mi in | ~1h 5m | via I 70

Ellsworth

198.2 mi in | ~3h 29m

Great Bend

198.2 mi in | ~3h 29m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 91.6 mi 1h 34m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 49.4 mi 49m
KS 4 44.6 mi 53m
Kansas Turnpike 41.1 mi 41m
KS 156 32.6 mi 38m
North Main Street 11.9 mi 16m
South 4th Street 3.2 mi 6m
Spruce Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — 91.6 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and La Crosse, 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
4

Continue on US 73; K-7

12 mi · 16 min · North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 70 West: Topeka Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40

40 mi · 40 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

0.9 mi · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 70

92 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
11

Turn left onto KS 156

33 mi · 38 min · KS 156
12

Turn sharp left

0.2 mi · 35 sec
13

Turn right onto KS 4

45 mi · 53 min · KS 4
14

Turn left onto US 183

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
15

Turn left onto 9th Street

326 ft · 16 sec · 9th Street
16

Turn right onto Peace Street

73 ft · 3 sec · Peace Street
17

Arrive at destination

Peace 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 138.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.6 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, 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 276.4 miles and 5h 4m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 91.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.2 mi from Leavenworth, KS · 2h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Valley Falls, KS

138 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

Valley Falls, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newton, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.2 miles from Leavenworth, 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 91.6 miles.

Arriving in La Crosse, KS

The final approach into La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, 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,...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 66.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.98 one way

$83.96 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $46.28 $92.56
premium $4.80 $52.18 $104.36
diesel $5.64 $61.41 $122.81

Estimated Tolls: $2.06

Kansas Turnpike (41.1 mi) $2.06

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

$42

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.9 1 $29.02 $13.27
Efficient EV 69.1 0 $24.18 $11.06
EV Truck/SUV 110.6 1 $38.70 $17.69

Gas CO2

97 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Leavenworth, KS

Late night in Leavenworth on Monday

Local time

5:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

La Crosse, KS

Late night in La Crosse on Monday

Local time

5:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

44°F

Valley Falls, KS

138 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

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

5h 4m 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 Leavenworth, KS to La Crosse, KS covers 276.4 miles and takes about 5h 4m 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, KS 4. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.2 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 $41.98 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 is a straightforward 5h 4m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Leavenworth, KS and La Crosse, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Ellsworth and Great Bend.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Leavenworth, KS

Garden City, KS 374.5 mi · 7h 6m Colby, KS 372.1 mi · 6h 25m Attica, KS 260.3 mi · 5h 10m Haven, KS 223.8 mi · 3h 59m Andover, KS 185.3 mi · 2h 46m Bolton, KS 181.7 mi · 3h 40m

More trips to La Crosse, KS

Lenexa, KS 273.7 mi

Explore more options from Leavenworth, KS or browse trips ending in La Crosse, KS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.

Explore maps for Leavenworth, KS or La Crosse, KS on MapSof.net.