Origin
Paola, KS
Night in Paola on Sunday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paola, KS to Overland Park, KS
Drive Time
46m
Distance
34.8 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paola, KS
Alexis Cruz
Overland Park, KS
Sam McCool
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Paola to Overland Park, you are looking at a straightforward 34.8-mile journey that typically takes about 46 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Kansas, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical drive for commuters or casual travelers. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace throughout the trip. Because the duration is well under an hour, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay, allowing you plenty of flexibility to complete the trip at your own convenience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.4 miles from Paola, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on US 169 and I-35 to navigate the distance, which provides a very predictable experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, where you will spend 27 miles cruising along US 169. As you transition from the more rural feel of Paola toward the suburban environment of Overland Park, the road environment shifts from open highway to the busier corridors of the Kansas City metro area. Expect a steady, functional commute rather than a technical or winding scenic route.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near Baptiste Drive.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 34.8 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 1.3 miles (Baptiste Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (US 169; K-7): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Baptiste Drive
Turn right onto Baptiste Drive
Navigation decision point
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Turn left toward US 169 North, KS 7 North: Olathe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 169 North, KS 7 North: Olathe
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 169; K-7
Merge onto US 169; K-7
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
31.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225
Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
9
31.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225A
Toward 87th Street Parkway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 27 mi | 31m |
| I 35 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| West 87th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Peoria Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Santa Fe Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Baptiste Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Valley View Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Newton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paola, KS and Overland Park, KS.
1
Start on South Silver Street
222 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Silver Street
2
Turn right onto West Peoria Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Peoria Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Hedge Lane
293 ft
·
12 sec
·
Hedge Lane
4
Turn right onto Baptiste Drive
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Baptiste Drive
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 169 North, KS 7 North: Olathe
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Merge onto US 169; K-7
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 169; K-7
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 169; K-7
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 169; K-7
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 169
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
US 169
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 225
Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 225A
Toward 87th Street Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto West 87th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 87th Street
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Santa Fe Drive
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto Newton Street
515 ft
·
29 sec
·
Newton Street
15
Turn left onto Valley View Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Valley View Drive
16
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
267 ft
·
15 sec
·
Overland Park Drive
17
Turn right onto West 81st Street
232 ft
·
11 sec
·
West 81st Street
18
Turn right
134 ft
·
9 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 46-minute drive, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach Overland Park. Because the route is so efficient, you won't need to plan for any formal stops, making it easy to drive straight through in one go. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind as you depart, as refueling in Paola before you head out is the most practical way to handle your costs. Watch your speed closely during the 27-mile stretch on US 169, as it is the primary artery for your journey and helps you maintain your travel time. Finally, try to avoid peak rush hours if you want to ensure the drive stays within that 46-minute estimate.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 17.4 miles from Paola, KS, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 34.8 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.4 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paola, 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 Paola, KS
This is one driving day of about 34.8 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Paola, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from Paola, KS · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from Paola, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Overland Park, KS
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.29 one way
$10.57 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.57 | $13.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.73 | $15.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.23 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Overland Park, KS
Night in Overland Park on Sunday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
6 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
46m 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 Paola, KS to Overland Park, KS covers 34.8 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169, I 35, West 87th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.4 miles from Paola, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 34.8 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 1.3 miles (Baptiste Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (US 169; K-7): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Paola, KS to Overland Park, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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