Origin
Prairie Village, KS
Morning in Prairie Village on Saturday
Local time
9:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prairie Village, KS to Atchison, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
59.5 mi
96 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prairie Village, KS
Tom Fisk
Atchison, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
This 59.5-mile journey from Prairie Village, KS, to Atchison, KS, is a manageable 1-hour and 19-minute drive. Designed as a single-day trip, it offers a straightforward route through the Great Plains region. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $9 for this excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, making it a more intimate travel experience than a highway-focused drive. Given its short duration, this trip allows for flexibility and ample time to explore your destination.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 59.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 59.5-mile route, with no highway segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the drive's profile suggests frequent turns and changes in direction. This means you'll be navigating through various local streets and avenues, rather than cruising on high-speed roads. The focus is on local connectivity, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience as you make your way across the landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near Metcalf Avenue.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 2.1 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
6
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Metcalf Avenue
Turn right onto Metcalf Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~10m 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.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~20m 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 slight left lane.
9
17.7 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 12A
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
8
34.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Prairie Village, KS and Atchison, KS, road signs point toward Saint Joseph and Weston.
Saint Joseph
17.7 mi in
|
~25m
Weston
34.9 mi in
|
~44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 45 Highway | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Harry Darby Memorial Highway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| 273 Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Southwest 59 Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Metcalf Avenue | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| West 75th Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Southwest 45 Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie Village, KS and Atchison, KS.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto West 75th Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West 75th Street
3
Turn right onto Metcalf Avenue
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 29; US 71
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto MO 273; MO 371
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
273 Highway
13
Continue on MO 273
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
273 Highway
14
Turn right onto MO 45; MO 273
14 mi
·
18 min
·
45 Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on MO 45; MO 273
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest 45 Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 59; MO 273
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest 59 Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 59; MO 273
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Amelia Earhart Bridge
18
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 4th Street
19
Turn left onto Kansas Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Kansas Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Kansas Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.8 mi from Prairie Village, KS · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Prairie Village, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atchison, KS
The final approach into Atchison, KS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.30 one way
$18.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.21 | $20.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.45 | $22.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.25 | $2.86 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Atchison, KS
Morning in Atchison on Saturday
Local time
9:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 19m 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 Prairie Village, KS to Atchison, KS covers 59.5 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, 45 Highway, Harry Darby Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.8 miles from Prairie Village, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.30 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 59.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 2.1 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Prairie Village, KS and Atchison, KS, road signs point toward Saint Joseph and Weston.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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