Skip to main content

Trip from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

144.4 mi

232 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 59m

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

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

Leavenworth, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Washington, KS, KS

Washington, KS

Townsend Walton

Trip Overview

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 230th Street, US 73 Highway, Pony Express Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.2 miles on 230th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 144.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (35%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m, 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 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 39.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 92 / Spruce Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS is easy. At 3h 5m with 35% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 144 miles (B Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These 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

5
144 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | B Street

Turn right onto B Street

Navigation decision point

5
144.3 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | East 3rd Street

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

5
144.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | C Street

Turn right onto C Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
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
17th Road 5.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: 230th Street — 39.2 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Washington, 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

0.2 mi · 19 sec · East 7th Street
30

Turn right onto B Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · B Street
31

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · East 3rd Street
32

Turn right onto C Street

218 ft · 9 sec · C Street
33

Arrive at destination

C 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 72.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.2 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 32 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.2 miles or 1h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 144.4 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 230th Street for about 39.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.2 mi from Leavenworth, KS · 1h 36m into the drive

person who professionally produces and optionally sells breads, rolls, biscuits or cookies, and other pastry

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Baker, KS

72 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

Atchison, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sabetha, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Washington, KS

The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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

$22.58 one way

$45.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.79 $49.57
premium $4.89 $27.79 $55.58
diesel $5.61 $31.88 $63.76

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

$23

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.3 0 $15.16 $6.93
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.64 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.22 $9.24

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Leavenworth, KS

Morning in Leavenworth on Saturday

Local time

6:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington, KS

Morning in Washington on Saturday

Local time

6:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Baker, KS

72 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

27 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

3h 5m 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 Washington, KS covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 230th Street, US 73 Highway, Pony Express Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.2 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 $22.58 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS is easy. At 3h 5m with 35% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 144 miles (B Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Leavenworth, KS to Washington, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.