North Newton, KS to Lenexa, KS is 170.8 miles and takes about 3h 10m via I-35 and US-50, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Kansas. It's a highway-focused trip, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for a quick hop between these two Kansas locations, keeping travel time to a minimum.
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
85.4 miles from North Newton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 170.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on interstates. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 96.1 miles on I-35, so plan your breaks accordingly. While the overall feel is that of a dependable interstate cruise, the seamless transition between main roads like I-135 and I-35 ensures a predictable and efficient travel experience across the landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 96.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 170.8 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward First Street, Broadway Street
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 First Street, Broadway Street
6
4.5 mi into trip|~6m 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
6
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
7
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward 95th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
9
170.4 mi into trip|~3h 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Newton, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Kansas City
73.6 mi in|~1h 28m
Wichita
73.6 mi in|~1h 28m
Topeka
73.6 mi in|~1h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
96.1 mi
1h 38m
US 50
69 mi
1h 21m
I 135
2.9 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Rosehill Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
West 95th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 96.1 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Newton, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on KS 15
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
3
Merge onto I 135; US 81
2.0 mi·2 min·I 135; US 81
4
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
0.4 mi·24 sec·I 135; US 50; US 81
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward First Street, Broadway StreetUse the slight right lane.
6
Enter roundabout
412 ft·8 sec
7
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
8
Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81
0.5 mi·30 sec·I 135; US 50; US 81
9
Take the exit onto US 50
26 mi·31 min·US 50
Exit 33Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
10
Enter roundabout onto US 50
213 ft·9 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
11
Continue on US 50
43 mi·50 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
12
Enter roundabout
364 ft·4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
13
Continue
0.2 mi·10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
14
Enter roundabout
30 ft·0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
15
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
16
Merge onto I 35
95 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 35
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
1.6 mi·1 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 224Toward 95th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft·7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie CollegeUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft·3 sec·West 95th Street
21
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft·18 sec·Rosehill Road
23
Turn right
71 ft·10 sec
24
Turn left
256 ft·18 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 10 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning would allow you to avoid early rush hour and arrive in Lenexa with plenty of daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so consider making it a brief fuel and stretch break around the halfway point. Since the majority of the drive is on I-35, be mindful of potential construction or traffic delays, especially as you approach the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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 85.4 miles from North Newton, KS, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.4 miles or 1h 40m 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 36m
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 North 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 North Newton, KS
This is one driving day of about 170.8 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from North 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 I 35 for about 96.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.4 mi from North Newton, KS
· 1h 40m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.70 one way
$53.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.32
$58.64
premium
$4.89
$32.87
$65.74
diesel
$5.61
$37.71
$75.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.95
$6.83
EV Truck/SUV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
North Newton, KS
Night
in North Newton on Friday
Local time
10:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
N 18 to 26 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Night
in Lenexa on Friday
Local time
10:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
35 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 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from North Newton, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 170.8 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 50, I 135. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.4 miles from North Newton, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.70 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 19 significant decision points across 170.8 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between North Newton, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
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.
