Origin
Smith Center, KS
Morning in Smith Center on Friday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smith Center, KS to Lenexa, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
267 mi
430 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smith Center, KS
MINEIA MARTINS
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Smith Center, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 267 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 24, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, South Lawrence Trafficway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.2 miles on US 24. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.5 miles from Smith Center, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Smith Center, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 267 miles and takes about 5h 11m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.2 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 151.9 miles in near KS 177; KS 18.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 267 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 151.9 miles (KS 177; KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
151.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
|
KS 177; KS 18
Take the exit onto KS 177; KS 18 toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
7
262.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
263 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
263.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
9
266.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smith Center, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Junction I-70, Zeandale, Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.
Junction I-70
151.9 mi in
|
~3h 4m
|
via KS 177; KS 18
Zeandale
151.9 mi in
|
~3h 4m
|
via KS 177; KS 18
Topeka
160.5 mi in
|
~3h 14m
Kansas City
212.3 mi in
|
~4h 9m
|
via I 70
Lawrence
227.1 mi in
|
~4h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 24 | 100.2 mi | 2h |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 51.4 mi | 53m |
| South Lawrence Trafficway | 35.4 mi | 38m |
| KS 181 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14 mi | 14m |
| US 36 | 11.8 mi | 14m |
| Madison Road | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| KS 177 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 24
— 100.2 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith Center, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on this road
35 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East 1st Street
220 ft
·
11 sec
·
East 1st Street
3
Turn right onto US 281
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto US 36; US 281
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 36; US 281
5
Take the exit onto US 281
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 281
6
Turn right onto KS 181
19 mi
·
22 min
·
KS 181
7
Turn left onto US 24; KS 9
92 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
US 24; KS 9
8
Turn right onto KS 82
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Cavalry Road
9
Turn left onto US 77
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Madison Road
10
Turn right onto US 24
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
US 24
11
Enter roundabout onto US 24
267 ft
·
3 sec
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
12
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
13
Enter roundabout onto US 24
161 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
14
Continue on US 24
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on KS 177
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Riley Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto KS 177; KS 18
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
KS 177; KS 18
Toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
Use the right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I-70 East, Topeka
18
Merge onto I 70; US 40
36 mi
·
35 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
22
Continue on I 70
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
24
Turn right onto KS 10
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South Lawrence Trafficway
25
Take the exit
391 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
32
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
33
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
35
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
36
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 133.5 miles from Smith Center, KS, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.2 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smith Center, 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 Smith Center, KS
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Smith Center, 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 US 24 for about 100.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.5 mi from Smith Center, KS · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.5 miles from Smith Center, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.2 miles.
Arriving in Lenexa, KS
The final approach into Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, 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
$41.74 one way
$83.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.83 | $91.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.38 | $102.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.95 | $117.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)
$0.70
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.03 | $12.82 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.36 | $10.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.38 | $17.09 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Lenexa, KS
Morning in Lenexa on Friday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Manhattan, KS
134 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
22 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Smith Center, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 267 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 24, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, South Lawrence Trafficway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.5 miles from Smith Center, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.74 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 267 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 151.9 miles (KS 177; KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Smith Center, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Junction I-70, Zeandale, Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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