The drive from North Newton, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 178.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, US 50, I 135 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.8 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
89.2 miles from North Newton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 178.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 21m highway drive covering 178.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 50. The longest continuous stretch is about 100.8 miles on I 35.
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 100.8 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 178.4 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 20 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
8
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|US 56; US 69; US 169
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
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 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
175 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
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 Shawnee, 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
100.8 mi
1h 44m
US 50
69 mi
1h 21m
I 135
2.9 mi
2m
Nieman Road
1.7 mi
3m
Shawnee Mission Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi
1m
Bond Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 100.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Newton, KS and Shawnee, 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
3.6 mi·4 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
18
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
2.7 mi·3 min·I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228BToward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
106 ft·4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, ShawneeUse the left lane.
21
Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.2 mi·2 min·Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Nieman Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi·1 min·West 49th Terrace
24
Turn right onto Bond Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Bond Street
25
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
Trip Plan
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 89.2 miles from North Newton, KS, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.8 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 44m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, 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 178.4 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 100.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.2 mi from North Newton, KS
· 1h 44m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.61
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
North Newton, KS
Night
in North Newton on Friday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Night
in Shawnee on Friday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
19 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 21m 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 North Newton, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 178.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m 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 89.2 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 $27.89 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 20 significant decision points across 178.4 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 Shawnee, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
