Origin
Norton, KS
Morning in Norton on Monday
Local time
8:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norton, KS to Wichita, KS
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
261.3 mi
420 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wichita, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
The drive from Norton, KS to Wichita, KS covers 261.3 miles and takes about 4h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 140th Road, West 40th Drive, 6th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.5 miles on 140th Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.6 miles from Norton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 56m drive with frequent turns across 261.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
140th Road is the longest continuous segment at about 99.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Wilton Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 56m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Wilton Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.5 miles (US 81 / 140th Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Wilton Street
Turn left onto West Wilton Street
Navigation decision point
5
137.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
US 81 / 140th Road
Merge onto US 81 / 140th Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
259.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward 13th Street
8
259.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 13th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward 13th Street
5
261.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
|
North Market Street
Turn left onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Norton, KS to Wichita, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
137.2 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 140th Road | 99.5 mi | 1h 40m |
| West 40th Drive | 44.8 mi | 54m |
| 6th Street | 28.6 mi | 33m |
| I 135 | 22.2 mi | 24m |
| Highway 36 | 17 mi | 19m |
| East Holme Street | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| KS 9 | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| Deer Road | 8 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
140th Road
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norton, KS and Wichita, KS.
1
Start on North 2nd Avenue
28 ft
·
6 sec
·
North 2nd Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Wilton Street
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Wilton Street
3
Turn left onto US 283
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North State Street
4
Turn right onto US 36; K-383
14 mi
·
16 min
·
East Holme Street
5
Continue on US 36
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 36
6
Continue on US 36
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West State Street
7
Turn right onto US 183
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
East 100 Road
8
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Central Avenue
9
Turn left onto KS 9
29 mi
·
33 min
·
6th Street
10
Turn right onto KS 9; US 281
12 mi
·
14 min
·
KS 9; US 281
11
Turn left onto US 24; KS 9
45 mi
·
54 min
·
West 40th Drive
12
Continue on US 24
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Fox Road
13
Continue on US 24
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Elk Road
14
Continue on US 24
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Dove Road
15
Continue on US 24
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Deer Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Salina
17
Merge onto US 81
99 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
140th Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 135; US 81
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 8
Toward 13th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
Toward 13th Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto East 13th Street North
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 13th Street North
22
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway Street
23
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
368 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Central Avenue
24
Turn left onto North Market Street
358 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Market Street
25
Turn right
187 ft
·
13 sec
26
Arrive at destination
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 130.6 miles from Norton, KS, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wichita, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norton, 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 Norton, KS
This is one driving day of about 261.3 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Norton, 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 140th Road for about 99.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.6 mi from Norton, KS · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 130.6 miles from Norton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 140th Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.5 miles.
Arriving in Wichita, KS
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.69 one way
$79.38 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $43.75 | $87.50 |
| premium | $4.80 | $49.33 | $98.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.05 | $116.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.44 | $12.54 |
| Efficient EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.5 | 1 | $36.58 | $16.72 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Wichita, KS
Morning in Wichita on Monday
Local time
8:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Lincoln, KS
131 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
33 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 56m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Norton, KS to Wichita, KS covers 261.3 miles and takes about 4h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 140th Road, West 40th Drive, 6th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.6 miles from Norton, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.69 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 56m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Wilton Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.5 miles (US 81 / 140th Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Norton, KS to Wichita, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
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