Origin
Manhattan, KS
Evening in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manhattan, KS to Lenexa, KS
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
116.2 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lenexa, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Manhattan to Lenexa covers 116.2 miles across the heart of the Kansas plains. Expect a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate a combination of the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the South Lawrence Trafficway, and the Kansas Turnpike to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trek. You won't need an overnight stay, as the distance is easily manageable in a single session.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 116.2-mile journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your attention as you transition between different road types. While only 13% of the route consists of major highways, you will encounter a mix of fast-paced stretches and more technical local sections. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 51.4 miles along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, providing a steady rhythm before the road profile shifts. Be prepared for a variety of driving conditions as you move from the open plains toward the more developed outskirts of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The experience is less about a monotonous interstate grind and more about navigating the specific turn-heavy segments that define this local transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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 51.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 116.2 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 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
112.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
112.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
112.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
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 35: Wichita, Des Moines
7
114.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Towns Along This Route
Between Manhattan, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.
Topeka
9.6 mi in
|
~13m
Kansas City
61.5 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via I 70
Lawrence
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 51.4 mi | 53m |
| South Lawrence Trafficway | 35.4 mi | 38m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14 mi | 14m |
| Pillsbury Drive | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pierre Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Juliette Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 51.4 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on Fremont Street
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
Fremont Street
2
Turn right onto North 10th Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
North 10th Street
3
Turn left onto Leavenworth Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Leavenworth Street
4
Turn right onto North Juliette Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Juliette Avenue
5
Turn left onto Pierre Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Pierre Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Pillsbury Drive
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Pillsbury Drive
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on KS 177
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
KS 177
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I-70 East, Topeka
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
36 mi
·
35 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
13
Continue on I 70
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
15
Turn right onto KS 10
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South Lawrence Trafficway
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
391 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
24
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
26
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
27
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 10-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 116.2-mile distance without needing formal stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $18 budget. Because the route relies on a specific sequence of the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the South Lawrence Trafficway, and the Kansas Turnpike, keep your GPS active to handle the turns smoothly. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential commuter traffic as you approach Lenexa. Remember that the lack of required stops gives you the freedom to drive straight through, so pack your favorite playlist or podcast to enjoy the uninterrupted stretches.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS
This is one driving day of about 116.2 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Manhattan, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 51.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Manhattan, KS · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lenexa, KS
The final approach into Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, 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
$17.65 one way
$35.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.46 | $38.91 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.94 | $43.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)
$0.70
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Evening in Lenexa on Sunday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
58 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
11 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 10m 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 Manhattan, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 116.2 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, South Lawrence Trafficway, Kansas Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.65 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 116.2 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 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Manhattan, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.
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