Origin
Shawnee, KS
Evening in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shawnee, KS to Baxter Springs, KS
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
144.9 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, KS
Tien Nguyen
Baxter Springs, KS
Alexis Cruz
Trip Overview
Traveling from Shawnee to Baxter Springs covers 144.9 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, typically taking about 2 hours and 47 minutes. This straightforward journey is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach the southern edge of the state without an overnight split. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $22, which keeps this excursion quite affordable. Navigating via Overland Parkway, West Atkinson Road, and US 69 Alternate provides a clear path through the region. It is an ideal route if you prefer a direct, no-nonsense trek across the heart of Kansas.
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
72.5 miles from Shawnee, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 84% of this 144.9-mile route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on Overland Parkway, which features a long, uninterrupted 109.1-mile stretch that allows you to settle into a steady rhythm. The transition from the suburban feel of Shawnee to the broader landscapes of the Great Plains is reflected in the consistent road quality. While the drive is primarily functional, the high highway percentage ensures you maintain a brisk pace throughout the trip. You will find that the road remains predictable, offering a stable and reliable drive from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Overland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Overland Parkway and West Atkinson Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 49th Terrace.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.9 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: at 0.2 miles (West 49th Terrace): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Nieman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: 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.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 49th Terrace
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Nieman Road
At end of road, turn right onto Nieman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Wichita
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 South: Wichita
7
5.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 69 / Overland Parkway
Take the exit onto US 69 / Overland Parkway toward US 69 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225B
Toward US 69 South
6
144.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
US 166 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto US 166 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Overland Parkway | 109.1 mi | 1h 58m |
| West Atkinson Road | 18.7 mi | 23m |
| US 69 Alternate | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| I 35 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| US Historic 66 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Johnson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Nieman Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West 49th Terrace | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Overland Parkway
— 109.1 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, KS and Baxter Springs, KS.
1
Start on Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Bond Street
2
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 49th Terrace
3
At end of road, turn right onto Nieman Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Nieman Road
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto Johnson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Johnson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 35
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 69
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
Overland Parkway
Exit 225B
Toward US 69 South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 69
319 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 69
9
Merge onto US 69; US 160
19 mi
·
23 min
·
West Atkinson Road
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
11
Enter roundabout onto US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
12
Continue on US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
13
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
14
Turn right onto US 166
50 ft
·
0 sec
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 166
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving in the morning helps you maximize your day in Baxter Springs. You only need to plan for one scheduled stop to keep your trip efficient and comfortable. Given the 109.1-mile stretch on Overland Parkway, make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto the main highway to avoid unnecessary detours. Because this route relies heavily on major roads, keep an eye on traffic reports for US 69 Alternate to ensure your travel time stays close to the 2-hour and 47-minute estimate. Prioritizing a single, well-timed break will help you stay refreshed while navigating the longer highway portions.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Shawnee, KS, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 22m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter Springs, 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 144.9 miles and 2h 47m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Overland Parkway for about 109.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.5 mi from Shawnee, KS · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 72.5 miles from Shawnee, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Overland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 miles.
Arriving in Baxter Springs, KS
The final approach into Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.01 one way
$44.02 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.26 | $48.52 |
| premium | $4.80 | $27.35 | $54.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.19 | $64.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.21 | $6.96 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.68 | $5.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58 | 0 | $20.29 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Baxter Springs, KS
Evening in Baxter Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Nevada, MO
72 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
7 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
2h 47m 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 Baxter Springs, KS covers 144.9 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Overland Parkway, West Atkinson Road, US 69 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.5 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 $22.01 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.
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 144.9 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: at 0.2 miles (West 49th Terrace): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Nieman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Shawnee, KS to Baxter Springs, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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