Origin
Pittsburg, KS
Evening in Pittsburg on Sunday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pittsburg, KS to Fort Scott, KS
Drive Time
40m
Distance
31.3 mi
50 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 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburg, KS
Ken Jacobsen
Fort Scott, KS
Esteban Carriazo
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Kansas Great Plains, the 31.3-mile journey from Pittsburg to Fort Scott is a straightforward local trip. You can easily complete this drive in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect one-day outing that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of roughly $5, it is an economical route for commuters or casual travelers alike. You will navigate primarily via Parkview Drive, US 69, and West 4th Street to reach your destination. Because this trip is so brief, you have plenty of flexibility to explore Fort Scott at your own pace once you arrive.
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
15.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a low highway share of only 7%, focusing instead on local roads that provide a more intimate connection to the landscape. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 27.5 miles on Parkview Drive, which serves as the primary artery for the majority of your travel time. As you transition between these local streets, be prepared for consistent shifts in direction. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that favors maneuverability over high-speed highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Parkview Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 27.5 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 KS 126 / West 4th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 40m drive. You will face about 7 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 (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (US 69; US 160 / Parkview Drive): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
3
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn slight right toward US 69 North, US 160 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69 North, US 160 East
4
3.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 69; US 160 / Parkview Drive
Turn left onto US 69; US 160 / Parkview Drive
Navigation decision point
5
31 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
South National Avenue
Turn right onto South National Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
31.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
West 2nd Street
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Parkview Drive | 27.5 mi | 34m |
| US 69 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West 4th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South National Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 2nd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Parkview Drive
— 27.5 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, KS and Fort Scott, 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 slight right
313 ft
·
13 sec
Toward US 69 North, US 160 East
4
Merge onto US 69; US 160
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69; US 160
5
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
28 mi
·
34 min
·
Parkview Drive
6
Turn left onto East 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 6th Street
7
Turn right onto South National Avenue
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South National Avenue
8
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
280 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 2nd Street
9
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 40-minute trip, you do not need to worry about complex stop pacing or long-distance fatigue. You can depart at your leisure, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Pittsburg is a smart move, even with the small $5 projected cost. Because there are no designated stops required for this 31.3-mile distance, you have the advantage of total scheduling freedom. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert on the turn-heavy sections, as the road character demands more active steering than a standard highway drive. Take advantage of the quick travel time to maximize your afternoon in Fort Scott.
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 15.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 31.3 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.7 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Scott, 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 31.3 miles and 40m.
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 Parkview Drive for about 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.7 mi from Pittsburg, KS · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Scott, KS
The final approach into Fort Scott, 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 Fort Scott, 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
$4.75 one way
$9.51 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.95 | $13.91 |
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: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Fort Scott, KS
Evening in Fort Scott on Sunday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
74°F
Bella Vista, AR
16 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
2 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
40m 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 Fort Scott, KS covers 31.3 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Parkview Drive, US 69, West 4th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.7 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 $4.75 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 straightforward 40m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (US 69; US 160 / Parkview Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Pittsburg, KS to Fort Scott, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Scott, KS
More trips to Fort Scott, KS
Explore more options from Pittsburg, KS or browse trips ending in Fort Scott, KS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.
Explore maps for Pittsburg, KS or Fort Scott, KS on MapSof.net.