Origin
Salina, KS
Evening in Salina on Sunday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salina, KS to Kansas City, KS
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
173.1 mi
279 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salina, KS
Alan Wang
Trip Overview
Connecting the heart of the Great Plains, this 173.1-mile journey from Salina to Kansas City is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the Kansas Turnpike, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, you will experience a seamless transition across the Kansas landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable, no-nonsense connection between these two key regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.5 miles from Salina, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that balances highway efficiency with the steady pace of the plains. With 32% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter stretches of open road that make for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 90.3 miles along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, requiring you to settle in for a significant block of driving. While the route is largely defined by its major arterial roads, the transition between these highways keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous grind. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns remain consistent, providing a predictable environment as you move toward your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 West Iron Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.1 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 (West Iron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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 Iron Avenue
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Topeka
6
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
6
171 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69...
9
171.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
US 69
Take the exit onto US 69 toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 422A
Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 90.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 54.7 mi | 56m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 23.2 mi | 23m |
| North 9th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| South 7th Street Trafficway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| I 70 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 69 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Armstrong Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 90.3 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina, KS and Kansas City, KS.
1
Start on South 8th Street
92 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 8th Street
2
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
279 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Iron Avenue
3
Turn right onto North 9th Street
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North 9th Street
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 70 East: Topeka
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 70; US 40
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Continue on I 70; US 40
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
10
Continue on I 70
55 mi
·
56 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit onto US 69
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 69
Exit 422A
Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 69
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft
·
17 sec
·
Armstrong Avenue
15
Turn left
149 ft
·
10 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple thanks to the short duration, but you should still aim to build in at least one stop to break up the drive. Since this route involves a mix of turnpikes and major highways, keep your toll pass or payment method ready to ensure a smooth transition through the tolling sections. Leaving in the mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion as you approach the Kansas City area. Because fuel costs for the trip are estimated at $26, filling your tank in Salina before you depart is a smart way to manage your expenses and avoid unnecessary stops. The flexibility of this drive allows you to easily adjust your schedule, making it an ideal candidate for a stress-free day trip.
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 86.5 miles from Salina, KS, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salina, 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 Salina, KS
This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salina, 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 90.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.5 mi from Salina, KS · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.5 miles from Salina, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.3 miles.
Arriving in Kansas City, KS
The final approach into Kansas 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 Kansas City, 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
$26.29 one way
$52.58 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.98 | $57.97 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.68 | $65.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.46 | $76.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.74
Kansas Turnpike
(54.7 mi)
$2.74
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
$26
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.23 | $11.08 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Kansas City, KS
Evening in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Valley Falls, KS
87 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
3 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
3h 3m 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 Salina, KS to Kansas City, KS covers 173.1 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Kansas Turnpike, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.5 miles from Salina, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.29 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.1 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 (West Iron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Salina, KS to Kansas City, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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