Origin
Shawnee, KS
Evening in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
8:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shawnee, KS to Atchison, KS
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, KS
Tien Nguyen
Atchison, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick escape within the Great Plains, the 55.8-mile trip from Shawnee to Atchison is an ideal day trip. You can comfortably complete this journey in about 1 hour and 13 minutes, making it a low-commitment outing that fits easily into a single day. Budget roughly $8 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Kansas locations. Since the route remains entirely within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. This trip is straightforward enough that you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations, giving you total flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule.
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
27.9 miles from Shawnee, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that transitions between different road types as you head north. You will spend about 30% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of I-29, 45 Highway, and the Harry Darby Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.8-mile segment on I-29, which offers a brief period of steady cruising. Because the route balances interstate travel with secondary roads, the pace of the drive shifts periodically. It is neither a purely monotonous grind nor a technical backroad trek, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 55.8 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 635 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 635 North
6
9.8 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
14 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
27.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
8
31.2 mi into trip
|
~39m 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 Along This Route
Between Shawnee, KS and Atchison, KS, road signs point toward Saint Joseph and Weston.
Saint Joseph
14 mi in
|
~19m
Weston
31.2 mi in
|
~39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 45 Highway | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Harry Darby Memorial Highway | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| 273 Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Southwest 59 Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Southwest 45 Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| 47th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Shawnee Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, KS and Atchison, KS.
1
Start on Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Bond Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto 47th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
47th Street
3
Turn left onto Shawnee Drive
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawnee Drive
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 635 North
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 635
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 29; US 71
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the none lane.
11
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
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto MO 273; MO 371
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
273 Highway
14
Continue on MO 273
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
273 Highway
15
Turn right onto MO 45; MO 273
14 mi
·
18 min
·
45 Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on MO 45; MO 273
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest 45 Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto US 59; MO 273
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest 59 Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 59; MO 273
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Amelia Earhart Bridge
19
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 4th Street
20
Turn left onto Kansas Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Kansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time without worrying about fatigue. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the 1 hour and 13-minute journey, allowing for a direct arrival at your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Shawnee, as your $8 fuel budget will be best utilized by filling up before you hit the road. Because the route is short, consider using the time you save on driving to spend more time exploring Atchison once you arrive. Stay attentive when transitioning between the Harry Darby Memorial Highway and the smaller state routes to ensure you stay on your intended path.
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 27.9 miles from Shawnee, KS, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.8 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 55.8 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.9 miles or 35m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atchison, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, KS
This is one driving day of about 55.8 miles and 1h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shawnee, 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 I 29 for about 16.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Shawnee, KS · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Shawnee, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Atchison, 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
$8.48 one way
$16.95 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.34 | $18.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.53 | $21.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.40 | $24.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Evening in Atchison on Sunday
Local time
8:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°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
13 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 13m 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 Shawnee, KS to Atchison, KS covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 13m 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 27.9 miles from Shawnee, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.48 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 16 significant decision points across 55.8 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Shawnee, KS and Atchison, KS, road signs point toward Saint Joseph and Weston.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Atchison, KS
More trips to Atchison, KS
Explore more options from Shawnee, KS or browse trips ending in Atchison, KS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.
Explore maps for Shawnee, KS or Atchison, KS on MapSof.net.