Origin
Newton, KS
Evening in Newton on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 16m
Distance
172.3 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
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.
Newton, KS
www.kaboompics.com
Overland Park, KS
Sam McCool
Spanning 172.3 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, this drive from Newton to Overland Park is a straightforward journey typically taking about 3 hours and 16 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a manageable one-day trip, requiring no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing I-35 and US-50, you move smoothly between these two points without unnecessary detours. Whether you are traveling for business or a weekend visit, the straightforward nature of the route makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
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
86.1 miles from Newton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 97% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The personality of the drive is defined by a 97.2-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-35, allowing for steady progress through the landscape. You will transition from the quieter stretches near Newton into the more heavily traveled corridors approaching Overland Park. While the route is predominantly an interstate grind, the shift from rural plains to the more developed suburbs of the Kansas City area is the most notable change in scenery. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and direct navigation.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 50. You will hit about 20 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 71.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Newton, KS and Overland Park, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Kansas City
Wichita
Topeka
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 97.2 mi | 1h 40m |
| US 50 | 69 mi | 1h 21m |
| West 87th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Santa Fe Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Broadway Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| I 135 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Oak Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Valley View Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, KS and Overland Park, KS.
Start on KS 15
Turn right onto East 5th Street
Continue on North Oak Street
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81
Take the exit onto US 50
Enter roundabout onto US 50
Continue on US 50
Enter roundabout
Continue
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West 87th Street
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
Turn right onto Newton Street
Turn left onto Valley View Drive
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
Turn right onto West 81st Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your plans, though hitting the road early helps avoid potential congestion near the destination. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, consistent highway stretches can lead to fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Newton, as prices can fluctuate as you head toward the metropolitan area. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps updated, as traffic flow can change significantly once you transition from I-35 to West 87th Street in Overland Park.
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.
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 86.1 miles or 1h 43m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, KS than in the middle of the route.
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 172.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.1 mi from Newton, KS · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.1 miles from Newton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.2 miles.
The final approach into Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$26.17 one way
$52.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.85 | $57.70 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.53 | $65.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.28 | $76.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.09 | $8.27 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Evening in Newton on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Overland Park on Sunday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
86 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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