Origin
Overland Park, KS
Evening in Overland Park on Friday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Overland Park, KS to Hill City, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
324.2 mi
522 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 33m
★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Overland Park, KS
Sam McCool
Hill City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Overland Park, KS to Hill City, KS covers 324.2 miles and takes about 5h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Kansas Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.68 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
162.1 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 324.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 45m drive with frequent turns across 324.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 146.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,446 ft
904 ft
Total Climb
1,790 ft
Total Descent
684 ft
Highest Point
2,446 ft
~301 mi in
Elevation Range
1,542 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 81st Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 324.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (West 81st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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 81st Street
Turn right onto West 81st Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Metcalf Avenue
Turn left onto Metcalf Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
8.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Topeka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
8
59.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Overland Park, KS to Hill City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
59.9 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via I 70
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 146.6 mi | 2h 26m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 91.6 mi | 1h 34m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 51.8 mi | 52m |
| US 283 | 21.2 mi | 31m |
| Harry Darby Memorial Highway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Metcalf Avenue | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| US 40 Bus | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 146.6 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Overland Park, KS and Hill City, KS.
1
Start on this road
134 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West 81st Street
182 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 81st Street
3
Turn left onto Marty Street
482 ft
·
23 sec
·
Marty Street
4
Turn right onto West 80th Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
West 80th Street
5
Turn left onto Metcalf Avenue
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Metcalf Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 4B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 70
92 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
147 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit onto US 40 Business
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 40 Business
Toward US 40 Business: WaKeeney, Hill City
13
Turn right onto US 40 Bus
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 40 Bus
14
Continue on US 283
21 mi
·
31 min
·
US 283
15
Turn right onto US 24
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Main Street
16
Turn left onto North Pomeroy Avenue
61 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Pomeroy Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
North Pomeroy Avenue
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 162.1 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.6 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 71 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.1 miles or 2h 50m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hill City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, KS
This is one driving day of about 324.2 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Overland Park, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 146.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.1 mi from Overland Park, KS · 2h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 162.1 miles from Overland Park, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.6 miles.
Arriving in Hill City, KS
The final approach into Hill City, 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 Hill City, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.68 one way
$101.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.65 | $111.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.39 | $124.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.58 | $143.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.59
Kansas Turnpike
(51.8 mi)
$2.59
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
$51
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.3 | 1 | $34.04 | $15.56 |
| Efficient EV | 81.1 | 0 | $28.37 | $12.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.7 | 1 | $45.39 | $20.75 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Hill City, KS
Evening in Hill City on Friday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Manhattan, KS
162 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
23 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
5h 45m 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 Overland Park, KS to Hill City, KS covers 324.2 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Kansas Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 162.1 miles from Overland Park, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.68 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 324.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (West 81st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Overland Park, KS to Hill City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 904 ft to 2,446 ft elevation with about 1,790 ft of total climbing.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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