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Trip from Maize, KS to Kansas City, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

203 mi

327 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

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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Downtown Maize, KS, KS

Maize, KS

Los Muertos Crew

Trip Overview

This straightforward 203-mile drive from Maize, Kansas, to Kansas City, Kansas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Kansas Turnpike, KS 254, and KS 96, this route offers a direct path across the Great Plains. With a highway share of 99%, you'll spend almost all your time on high-speed roads, making it an efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, and with only one recommended stop, it's a relatively uninterrupted trip. This drive is ideal if you're looking for a quick and easy transit between these two points in Kansas.

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

101.5 miles from Maize, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 203 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for 99% of this 203-mile journey. The primary artery is the Kansas Turnpike, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 166.8 miles. This means consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns for much of the drive. While you'll briefly transition to KS 254 and KS 96, the overall feel remains one of efficient travel on well-maintained roads. The landscape will be characteristic of the Great Plains, offering open vistas without significant topographical changes. It’s a drive where you can settle in and cover ground steadily.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 166.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and KS 254. 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 North Heather Lane.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 203 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 (North Heather Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North Maize Road): Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 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 | North Heather Lane

Turn right onto North Heather Lane

Navigation decision point

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | North Maize Road

Turn left onto North Maize Road

Navigation decision point

6
90.2 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | I 335 / Kansas Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 335 / Kansas Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
200.9 mi into trip | ~3h 27m 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
201.2 mi into trip | ~3h 28m 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 166.8 mi 2h 48m
KS 254 24.7 mi 27m
KS 96 8.3 mi 9m
South 7th Street Trafficway 1.5 mi 3m
I 70 0.3 mi <1m
US 69 0.2 mi <1m
North Maize Road 0.1 mi <1m
East Hickory Lane 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 166.8 mi, about 2h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maize, KS and Kansas City, KS.

1

Start on North Queen Street

58 ft · 2 sec · North Queen Street
2

Continue on Harvest Lane

442 ft · 21 sec · Harvest Lane
3

Turn right onto North Heather Lane

225 ft · 15 sec · North Heather Lane
4

Turn left onto East Hickory Lane

0.1 mi · 33 sec · East Hickory Lane
5

Turn left onto North Maize Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North Maize Road
6

Turn right onto West 53rd Street North

287 ft · 6 sec · West 53rd Street North
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward KS 96 East
8

Merge onto KS 96

8.3 mi · 9 min · KS 96
9

Continue on KS 254

25 mi · 27 min · KS 254
Toward KS 254, El Dorado Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Take the exit

267 ft · 7 sec
11

Merge onto Boyer Road

260 ft · 7 sec · Boyer Road
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
13

Turn straight

0.2 mi · 20 sec
14

Merge onto I 35

56 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 335

111 mi · 1 hr 52 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16

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
17

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.
18

Turn left onto US 69

1.5 mi · 3 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North Use the left lane.
19

Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue

282 ft · 17 sec · Armstrong Avenue
20

Turn left

149 ft · 10 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its 3-hour and 32-minute duration, this 203-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and nearly all of it on highway, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. The longest stretch on the Kansas Turnpike is nearly 167 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The $32 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it’s always wise to check current prices. This route offers flexibility due to its manageable length and efficient road profile.

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 101.5 miles from Maize, KS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 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 45 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 52m

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 Maize, 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 Maize, KS

This is one driving day of about 203 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Maize, 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 166.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101.5 mi from Maize, KS · 1h 47m into the drive

city in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Osage City, KS

102 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.

Popular next leg

Osage City, KS to Kansas City, KS

96.8 mi · 1h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Augusta, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Osage City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.5 miles from Maize, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.8 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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 140
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.74 one way

$63.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.85 $69.69
premium $4.89 $39.07 $78.13
diesel $5.61 $44.82 $89.64

Estimated Tolls: $8.34

Kansas Turnpike (166.8 mi) $8.34

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

$32

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.9 0 $21.31 $9.74
Efficient EV 50.8 0 $17.76 $8.12
EV Truck/SUV 81.2 1 $28.42 $12.99

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Maize, KS

Afternoon in Maize on Friday

Local time

2:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, KS

Afternoon in Kansas City on Friday

Local time

2:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

9 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

3h 32m 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 Maize, KS to Kansas City, KS covers 203 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, KS 254, KS 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 101.5 miles from Maize, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.74 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 203 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 0.1 miles (North Heather Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North Maize Road): Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Maize, KS to Kansas City, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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