Origin
Leavenworth, KS
Afternoon in Leavenworth on Thursday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leavenworth, KS to Salem, KS
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
227 mi
365 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leavenworth, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Salem, KS covers 227 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 17th Road, 230th Street, US 73 Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.2 miles on 17th Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.49 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
113.5 miles from Leavenworth, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 227 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (25%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 1m drive with frequent turns across 227 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
17th Road is the longest continuous segment at about 74.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 92 / Spruce Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 1m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 92 / Spruce Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (South 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 61.5 miles (US 75): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KS 92 / Spruce Street
At end of road, turn right onto KS 92 / Spruce Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
South 20th Street
Turn right onto South 20th Street
Navigation decision point
4
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
US 75
Turn right onto US 75
Navigation decision point
4
220.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
30 Road
Turn right onto 30 Road
Navigation decision point
5
226.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
20 Road
At end of road, turn left onto 20 Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 17th Road | 74.2 mi | 1h 27m |
| 230th Street | 39.2 mi | 46m |
| US 73 Highway | 27 mi | 36m |
| Pony Express Highway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| US 75 | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| 110th Street | 10.4 mi | 15m |
| Amelia Earhart Drive | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| US Highway 73 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
17th Road
— 74.2 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Salem, KS.
1
Start on this road
277 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto KS 92
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Spruce Street
3
Turn right onto South 20th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South 20th Street
4
Continue on CR 14
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Santa Fe Trail
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
6
Merge onto US 73; K-7
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Amelia Earhart Drive
7
Continue on US 73; K-7
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 73 Highway
8
Continue on US 73; K-7
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
South 10th Street
9
Turn left onto US 59; US 73
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Skyway Highway
10
Continue on US 59; US 73
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 59 Highway
11
Take the exit
288 ft
·
8 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 73
426 ft
·
12 sec
·
South 22nd Street
13
Turn left onto US 73
16 mi
·
23 min
·
US 73 Highway
14
Continue on US 73
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 73
15
Continue on US 73; KS 20
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
110th Street
16
Continue on US 73; KS 20
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East 15th Street
17
Continue on KS 20
10 mi
·
15 min
·
110th Street
18
Turn right onto US 75
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 75
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
20
Turn left onto US 36
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 36 Highway
21
Continue on US 36
39 mi
·
46 min
·
230th Street
22
Continue on US 36
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
3rd Street
23
Continue on US 36
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Pony Express Highway
24
Continue on US 36
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Center Street
25
Continue on US 36; US 77
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Pony Express Highway
26
Continue on US 36
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
19th Road
27
Continue on US 36
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Pony Express Avenue
28
Continue on US 36
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
17th Road
29
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Street
30
Continue on US 36; K-15
69 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
17th Road
31
Continue on US 36; K-128
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
US 36; K-128
32
Turn right onto 30 Road
6.0 mi
·
23 min
·
30 Road
33
At end of road, turn left onto 20 Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
20 Road
34
Arrive at destination
20 Road
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 113.5 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.2 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.5 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 227 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 17th Road for about 74.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.5 mi from Leavenworth, KS · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.5 miles from Leavenworth, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 17th Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.2 miles.
Arriving in Salem, KS
The final approach into Salem, 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 Salem, 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
$35.49 one way
$70.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.97 | $77.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $43.68 | $87.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.12 | $100.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Skyway Highway
(1 mi)
$0.07
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
$35
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.90 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.86 | $9.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.78 | $14.53 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Salem, KS
Afternoon in Salem on Thursday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
31 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
5h 1m 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 Salem, KS covers 227 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 17th Road, 230th Street, US 73 Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.5 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 $35.49 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 1m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 92 / Spruce Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (South 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 61.5 miles (US 75): Navigation decision point.
The route from Leavenworth, KS to Salem, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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