Trip from Syracuse, KS to Shawnee, KS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

8h 1m

Distance

422.5 mi

680 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 53m ★

6 AM

8h 2m

8 AM

8h 19m

10 AM

8h 8m

12 PM

8h 6m

3 PM

8h 9m

5 PM

8h 18m

8 PM

7h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Syracuse, KS

Tien Nguyen

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Syracuse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 422.5 miles and takes about 8h 1m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on KS 156, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Avenue A for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 166.3 miles on KS 156. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.05 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

211.2 miles from Syracuse, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 17m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

8h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Syracuse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 422.5 miles and takes about 8h 1m, 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 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

KS 156 is the longest continuous segment at about 166.3 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 53.1 miles in near KS 156.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 422.5 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 53.1 miles (KS 156): Lane positioning matters here; at 173.6 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 226.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

53.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | KS 156

Turn left onto KS 156

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

173.6 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in | Washington Street

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

226.2 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in

Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Salina

366.5 mi into trip | ~6h 58m 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

416.1 mi into trip | ~7h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Turner Diagonal

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Turner Diagonal

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Syracuse, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.

Salina

226.2 mi in | ~4h 35m

Kansas City

366.5 mi in | ~6h 58m | via I 70

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
KS 156	166.3 mi	3h 18m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	90.3 mi	1h 32m
Avenue A	52.2 mi	1h 1m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	50.5 mi	50m
Kansas Turnpike	48.7 mi	49m
10th Street	3.8 mi	5m
South 59th Street	2.8 mi	5m
Railroad Avenue	2.6 mi	6m

Longest stretch: KS 156 — 166.3 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, KS and Shawnee, KS.

Start on Barber Street

139 ft · 10 sec · Barber Street

Turn right onto US 50; US 400; KS 27

52 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Avenue A

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Keep slight left at fork

161 ft · 4 sec

Turn slight left onto East Mary Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Mary Street

Turn left onto KS 156

118 mi · 2 hr 22 min · KS 156

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

150 ft · 4 sec · Washington Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Railroad Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto US 281

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto US 56; KS 96; KS 156

3.8 mi · 5 min · 10th Street

Turn left onto KS 156

48 mi · 55 min · KS 156

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward I-70 East, Salina

Merge onto I 70; US 40

49 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Toward I-70 East, Kansas City

Continue on I 70

49 mi · 49 min · Kansas Turnpike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 415 Toward College Parkway

Keep slight right at fork

390 ft · 9 sec

Toward Turner Diagonal Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal

1.2 mi · 1 min · Turner Diagonal

Use the straight lane.

Continue on KS 32

1.0 mi · 1 min · KS 32

Turn right onto South 55th Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South 55th Street

Turn slight right

168 ft · 7 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Inland Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Inland Drive

Turn left onto South 59th Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · South 59th Street

Turn right onto 47th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 47th Street

Turn left onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Bond Street

Arrive at destination

Bond Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 211.2 miles from Syracuse, KS, or about 4h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.3 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 93 miles or 1h 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 211.2 miles or 4h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 211.2 miles or 4h 17m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Syracuse, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Syracuse, KS

Aim for roughly 211 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Shawnee, KS

Aim for roughly 211 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Syracuse, KS.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on KS 156 for about 166.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 211.2 mi from Syracuse, KS · 4h 17m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Salina, KS

211 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Salina, KS

Overnight Options

Night 1

Salina, KS

211 mi · about 4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Salina, KS after about 211 miles or 4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Dodge, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lincoln, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 211.2 miles from Syracuse, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before KS 156 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 211 miles or 4 hours on the road.

Arriving in Shawnee, KS

The final approach into Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, KS.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Shawnee, KS with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 364.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.05 one way

$132.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 148 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$72.52	$145.05
premium	$4.89	$81.31	$162.61
diesel	$5.61	$93.28	$186.57

Estimated Tolls: $2.43

Kansas Turnpike (48.7 mi) $2.43

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

$66

Tolls

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$198–$308

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 147.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	126.8	1	$44.36	$20.28
Efficient EV	105.6	1	$36.97	$16.90
EV Truck/SUV	169	2	$59.15	$27.04

Gas CO2

148 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Syracuse, KS

Afternoon in Syracuse on Thursday

Local time

1:19 PM

MDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Afternoon in Shawnee on Thursday

Local time

2:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

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

8h 1m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Syracuse, KS to Shawnee, KS covers 422.5 miles and takes about 8h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are KS 156, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Avenue A. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 211 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 211.2 miles from Syracuse, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.