Origin
Shawnee, KS
Afternoon in Shawnee on Friday
Local time
3:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shawnee, KS to Valley Falls, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
61.3 mi
99 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Valley Falls, KS
Zaur Takhgiriev
Trip Overview
The drive from Shawnee, KS to Valley Falls, KS covers 61.3 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on McLouth Road, US 24, US 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.6 miles on McLouth Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 61.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 27m highway drive covering 61.3 miles, with most of the trip on McLouth Road and US 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 15.6 miles on McLouth Road.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
McLouth Road is the longest continuous segment at about 15.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on McLouth Road and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Turn left toward I 435 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 435 North
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
5
10.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 24; US 40
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24; US 40 toward US 24 East, US 40 East, US 73 North, KS 7 North: Lansing, Leavenworth, Tonganoxie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 24 East, US 40 East, US 73 North, KS...
7
15.5 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 24; US 40
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40 toward US 24 West, US 40 West: Basehor, Tonganoxie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 24 West, US 40 West: Basehor, Tongano...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shawnee, KS and Valley Falls, KS, road signs point toward Kansas Turnpike, Leavenworth and Tonganoxie.
Kansas Turnpike
9.8 mi in
|
~17m
Leavenworth
13.9 mi in
|
~22m
|
via US 24; US 40
Tonganoxie
13.9 mi in
|
~22m
|
via US 24; US 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| McLouth Road | 15.6 mi | 22m |
| US 24 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| US 59 | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| KS 16 | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| I 435 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| West 51st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Holliday Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
McLouth Road
— 15.6 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, KS and Valley Falls, KS.
1
Start on Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Bond Street
2
Turn right onto West 49th Terrace
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
West 49th Terrace
3
Continue on Garnett Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Garnett Street
4
Turn right onto West 51st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 51st Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Quivira Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Quivira Drive
6
Continue on Quivira Lane
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Quivira Lane
7
Turn right
54 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn left onto Holliday Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Holliday Drive
9
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 435 North
10
Merge onto I 435
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 435
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 24; US 40
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24; US 40
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 24; US 40
Toward US 24 East, US 40 East, US 73 North, KS 7 North: Lansing, Leavenworth, Tonganoxie
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40
12 mi
·
15 min
·
US 24; US 40
Toward US 24 West, US 40 West: Basehor, Tonganoxie
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto KS 16
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
West 4th Street
17
Continue on KS 16
16 mi
·
22 min
·
McLouth Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 59; KS 16; KS 92
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 59; KS 16; KS 92
19
Turn left onto KS 16
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 16
20
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 16
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
KS 16
21
Turn left onto KS 16
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
KS 16
22
At end of road, turn left onto KS 4; KS 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 4; KS 16
23
Turn right onto KS 16
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
KS 16
24
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Oak Street
25
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.6 mi from Shawnee, KS · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 30.6 miles from Shawnee, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Valley Falls, KS
The final approach into Valley Falls, 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
$9.58 one way
$19.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.52 | $21.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.80 | $23.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.53 | $27.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.18
Kansas Turnpike
(3.5 mi)
$0.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$0
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 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 | 18.4 | 0 | $6.44 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.36 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
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
Valley Falls, KS
Afternoon in Valley Falls on Friday
Local time
3:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Reno, KS
31 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 27m 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 Valley Falls, KS covers 61.3 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are McLouth Road, US 24, US 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.6 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 $9.58 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 61.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Shawnee, KS and Valley Falls, KS, road signs point toward Kansas Turnpike, Leavenworth and Tonganoxie.
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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