Origin
Moundridge, KS
Night in Moundridge on Sunday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
47m
Distance
41.8 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Moundridge, KS
Tien Nguyen
Wichita, KS
Tien Nguyen
Traveling from Moundridge to Wichita covers a quick 41.8-mile stretch across the Kansas Great Plains. With a travel time of approximately 47 minutes, this journey is perfectly suited as a simple one-day trip. You will primarily rely on I-135, Arrowhead Road, and North Broadway Street to reach your destination. Budgeting about $6 for fuel is sufficient for the transit, making it a very economical commute. Because both cities are located within the same region, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, no-fuss route that gets you where you need to go without the need for an overnight stay.
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
20.9 miles from Moundridge, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of this route is spent on major roads. The core of your trip involves a 37.7-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-135, which allows for steady cruising through the open plains. While the interstate provides a fast, efficient path, the transition onto North Broadway Street and Arrowhead Road adds a brief change of pace as you navigate into the Wichita area. You will find the road character to be functional and direct rather than technical. It is the kind of drive where you can settle into a rhythm quickly and maintain a consistent speed for the duration of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and Arrowhead Road. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 135; US 81.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 135; US 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 135; US 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward 13th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 135 | 37.7 mi | 39m |
| Arrowhead Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Broadway Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 13th Street North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cole Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Central Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Moundridge, KS and Wichita, KS.
Start on Cole Street
Continue on Arrowhead Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 135; US 81
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
Continue on I 135; US 81
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto East 13th Street North
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
Turn left onto North Market Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since the total duration is under an hour, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning extensive stops, as the 41.8-mile distance is easily manageable in a single push. To make the most of your travel, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Wichita metro area, where the pace may shift from open highway to local road conditions. Because this is a short trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak morning or evening commute hours if you prefer a quieter drive. Always ensure you have your $6 fuel budget ready, though given the short distance, you likely won't need to refuel during the transit itself.
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.
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 41.8 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.9 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wichita, KS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Moundridge, 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 Moundridge, KS
This is one driving day of about 41.8 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.9 mi from Moundridge, KS · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Moundridge, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.35 one way
$12.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.89 | $15.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.29 | $18.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Moundridge on Sunday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Wichita on Sunday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
52°F
Newton, KS
21 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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