Origin
Pittsburg, KS
Evening in Pittsburg on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
79.4 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburg, KS
Ken Jacobsen
Chanute, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Connecting Pittsburg to Chanute, Kansas, is a straightforward 79.4-mile journey across the Great Plains. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a estimated fuel cost of only $12, the route is highly economical for travelers looking to move between these two Kansas hubs. Since the entire drive stays within the same region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape, allowing for a consistent, predictable travel experience. Whether you are commuting or visiting, the lack of required stops makes this an efficient trek that doesn't demand an overnight split.
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
39.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on US 400, US 169, and US 69 to get you to your destination. With 96% of the trip spent on highways, you will find a consistent pace that is ideal for making steady time. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 46.6 miles on US 400, so prepare for long periods of open road where you can easily maintain your speed. Because the route is dominated by these major arteries, the experience is less about technical maneuvering and more about steady, focused highway travel. Expect a clear, functional drive that prioritizes direct transit over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 400 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 400 and US 169. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KS 126 / West 4th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles (US 169): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KS 126 / West 4th Street
Turn left onto KS 126 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
6
53 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward US 169 South
6
53.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 169
Turn left onto US 169
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward KS 39
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward KS 39
6
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
KS 39
Turn right onto KS 39
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 400 | 46.6 mi | 54m |
| US 169 | 24 mi | 28m |
| US 69 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| West 4th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Plummer Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| KS 39 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Steuben Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 400
— 46.6 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, KS and Chanute, KS.
1
Start on US 69 Business
66 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto KS 126
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 69; US 160
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 400
47 mi
·
54 min
·
US 400
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 169 South
Use the sharp right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 169
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 169
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on US 169
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward KS 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto KS 39
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
KS 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto North Plummer Avenue
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Plummer Avenue
12
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
13
Turn right onto South Steuben Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Steuben Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
South Steuben Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during daylight hours is always recommended for better visibility on Kansas highways. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 79.4-mile distance in one go without needing to plan for significant rest breaks. Ensure you have your $12 fuel budget ready before you head out, as the lack of planned stops means you should fuel up in Pittsburg to avoid any mid-route stress. Use the 46.6-mile stretch on US 400 to find a comfortable cruising speed early on, as this will be the most significant portion of your drive. Keep your eyes on the road and enjoy the efficiency of this direct transit route.
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 39.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.6 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 79.4 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chanute, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg, KS
This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pittsburg, 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 400 for about 46.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Pittsburg, KS · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 79.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chanute, KS
The final approach into Chanute, 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 Chanute, 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
$12.06 one way
$24.12 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.29 | $26.59 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.99 | $29.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.64 | $35.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.34 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Chanute, KS
Evening in Chanute on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Collinsville, OK
40 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
22 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
1h 38m 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 Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 400, US 169, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.06 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles (US 169): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pittsburg, KS to Chanute, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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