Origin
Newton, KS
Evening in Newton on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newton, KS to Leavenworth, KS
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
185 mi
298 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newton, KS
www.kaboompics.com
Leavenworth, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Newton to Leavenworth covers 185 miles across the Kansas plains, typically taking about 3 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Kansas Turnpike, US 50, and K-7, which keeps the flow of traffic steady throughout your journey. Budget roughly $28 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the trip is straightforward, it serves as a reliable transit route for those looking to move efficiently between these Kansas hubs.
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
92.5 miles from Newton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. The terrain is characterized by the open landscapes of the Great Plains, providing a consistent driving environment. You will face your longest uninterrupted segment while cruising for 96 miles along the Kansas Turnpike. Transitioning from the turnpike onto US 50 and K-7 shifts the pace, offering a mix of high-speed interstate travel and local highway connectivity. This path is designed for those who prefer a direct, efficient transit rather than winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 96 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 50. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 5th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.1 miles (East 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn right onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 33
Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
7
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
8
168.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
Towns Along This Route
Between Newton, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Kansas City
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Wichita
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Topeka
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 96 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 50 | 69 mi | 1h 21m |
| K-7 | 15.5 mi | 23m |
| East Broadway Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Spruce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 135 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Oak Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| I 35 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 96 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
1
Start on KS 15
286 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
391 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on North Oak Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Oak Street
4
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broadway Street
5
Enter roundabout
330 ft
·
6 sec
6
Continue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
7
Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 135; US 50; US 81
8
Take the exit onto US 50
26 mi
·
31 min
·
US 50
Exit 33
Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
9
Enter roundabout onto US 50
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
10
Continue on US 50
43 mi
·
50 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
11
Enter roundabout
364 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
12
Continue
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
13
Enter roundabout
440 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
14
Continue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
15
Merge onto I 35
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 35
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City
17
Merge onto I 335
96 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft
·
13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi
·
23 min
·
K-7
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spruce Street
22
Turn right
277 ft
·
20 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 185-mile journey is simple given its manageable duration, but you should still account for at least one planned stop to break up the drive. Since you are staying on major thoroughfares, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the 96-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike to avoid unnecessary stops in remote sections. Leaving early in the day allows you to maintain a steady pace, taking advantage of the highway-heavy infrastructure. Being flexible with your departure time is a major benefit here, as the route is short enough that you don't need a rigid schedule to reach Leavenworth comfortably.
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 92.5 miles from Newton, KS, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.5 miles or 1h 49m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newton, 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 Newton, KS
This is one driving day of about 185 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newton, 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 96 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.5 mi from Newton, KS · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 92.5 miles from Newton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96 miles.
Arriving in Leavenworth, KS
The final approach into Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, 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
$28.10 one way
$56.20 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.98 | $61.95 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.92 | $69.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.10 | $82.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.80
Kansas Turnpike
(96 mi)
$4.80
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
$28
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
| Efficient EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.19 | $7.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74 | 0 | $25.90 | $11.84 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Leavenworth, KS
Evening in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
93 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
17 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 31m 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 Newton, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 185 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, US 50, K-7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.5 miles from Newton, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.10 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 185 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Newton, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
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