Trip from Madison, KS to Soldier, KS

Drive Time

2h 36m

Distance

126.9 mi

204 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 26m ★

6 AM

2h 37m

8 AM

2h 57m

10 AM

2h 44m

12 PM

2h 42m

3 PM

2h 45m

5 PM

2h 56m

8 PM

2h 30m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Madison, KS

Pablo López

Soldier, KS

Thang Cao

Trip Overview

The drive from Madison, KS to Soldier, KS covers 126.9 miles and takes about 2h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Kansas Turnpike, US 75, KS 99 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.6 miles on Kansas Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.27 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

63.4 miles from Madison, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 36m highway drive covering 126.9 miles, with most of the trip on Kansas Turnpike and US 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 49.6 miles on Kansas Turnpike.

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.

Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 49.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 58 / 4th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 126.9 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 0.1 miles (KS 58 / 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | KS 58 / 4th Street

Turn right onto KS 58 / 4th Street

Navigation decision point

23.4 mi into trip | ~39m in

Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

23.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Enter roundabout toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka

24 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City

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

Toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City

82.4 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | US 75

Keep slight left at fork onto US 75 toward US 75 North: Holton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 75 North: Holton

Towns Along This Route

Between Madison, KS and Soldier, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, Salina and Holton.

Kansas City

23.4 mi in | ~39m

Wichita

23.4 mi in | ~39m

Topeka

23.4 mi in | ~39m

Salina

73.8 mi in | ~1h 30m

Holton

82.2 mi in | ~1h 41m | via US 75

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Kansas Turnpike	49.6 mi	49m
US 75	28.2 mi	31m
KS 99	19 mi	30m
230 Road	10.9 mi	13m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway	5.3 mi	6m
E Road	4.8 mi	8m
West South Avenue	1.5 mi	3m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	1.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 49.6 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison, KS and Soldier, KS.

Start on 3rd Street

71 ft · 8 sec · 3rd Street

Turn left onto KS 58

419 ft · 11 sec · West Lincoln Street

Turn right onto KS 58

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 4th Street

Turn left onto KS 58

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Madison

Turn right onto KS 99

19 mi · 30 min · KS 99

Turn left onto West South Avenue

1.5 mi · 3 min · West South Avenue

Turn right onto Prairie Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Prairie Street

Turn left onto US 50

1.3 mi · 2 min · West 6th Avenue

Enter roundabout

31 ft · 0 sec

Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

Continue

0.2 mi · 10 sec

Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

Enter roundabout

440 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka

Continue

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka

Merge onto I 35

0.1 mi · 10 sec · I 35

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City

Merge onto I 335

50 mi · 49 min · Kansas Turnpike

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 470 West, US 75: Topeka, Salina

Continue on I 470

5.3 mi · 6 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward Wanamaker Road, Huntoon Street

Keep slight right at fork

162 ft · 5 sec

Turn straight onto Southwest Wanamaker Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Southwest Wanamaker Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 70 East: Kansas City

Merge onto I 70; US 40; US 75; KS 4

1.4 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Take the exit onto US 75

0.2 mi · 23 sec · US 75

Toward US 75 North: Gage Boulevard, Holton

Keep slight left at fork onto US 75

28 mi · 30 min · US 75

Toward US 75 North: Holton Use the slight left lane.

Turn left onto KS 16

0.5 mi · 56 sec · West 4th Street

Continue on KS 16

11 mi · 13 min · 230 Road

Turn right onto KS 62

4.8 mi · 8 min · E Road

Continue on KS 62

0.2 mi · 20 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto KS 62

497 ft · 9 sec · Jackson Street

Arrive at destination

Jackson Street

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Madison, KS, or about 1h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Soldier, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, KS

This is one driving day of about 126.9 miles and 2h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madison, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 49.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.4 mi from Madison, KS · 1h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Valley Falls, KS

63 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.

Valley Falls, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Madison, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Soldier, KS

The final approach into Soldier, 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 Soldier, 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

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,...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 74.4

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.27 one way

$38.55 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$21.25	$42.50
premium	$4.80	$23.96	$47.91
diesel	$5.64	$28.19	$56.39

Estimated Tolls: $2.48

Kansas Turnpike (49.6 mi) $2.48

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

$19

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.1	$13.32	$6.09
Efficient EV	31.7	$11.10	$5.08
EV Truck/SUV	50.8	$17.77	$8.12

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Madison, KS

Morning in Madison on Monday

Local time

9:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Soldier, KS

Morning in Soldier on Monday

Local time

9:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Cloudy

S 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 4:34AM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 13 at 4:34AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS

Along the Route

44°F

Valley Falls, KS

63 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

19 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

2h 36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Madison, KS to Soldier, KS covers 126.9 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, US 75, KS 99. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 63.4 miles from Madison, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.27 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Madison, KS and Soldier, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, Salina and Holton.

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Trip from Madison, KS to Soldier, KS

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Soldier, KS

National Parks Near This Route

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Madison, KS

Soldier, KS

Same local time

19 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 36m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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