Origin
Ulysses, KS
Morning in Ulysses on Monday
Local time
9:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS
Drive Time
6h 39m
Distance
433.1 mi
697 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 28m
★
6 AM
6h 40m
8 AM
7h 4m
10 AM
6h 48m
12 PM
6h 46m
3 PM
6h 49m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS covers 433.1 miles and takes about 6h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Grant Avenue, South Missouri Street, East Oklahoma Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.78 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
216.5 miles from Ulysses, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 39m drive with frequent turns across 433.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Grant Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Grant Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Missouri Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Oklahoma Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Niles Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 14th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Railroad Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Grant Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ulysses, KS and Kansas City, KS.
1
Start on North Court Street
226 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Court Street
2
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
302 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Grant Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Missouri Street
4
Turn left onto East Oklahoma Avenue
27 mi
·
35 min
·
East Oklahoma Avenue
5
Continue straight
17 mi
·
29 min
6
At the end of the road, turn left
33 mi
·
39 min
7
Keep straight
315 ft
·
4 sec
8
Keep slight right
3.9 mi
·
4 min
9
Turn right
3.1 mi
·
3 min
10
Turn right
31 mi
·
36 min
11
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Niles Avenue
12
Turn right
25 mi
·
30 min
13
Turn right onto East 14th Street
19 mi
·
23 min
·
East 14th Street
14
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Railroad Avenue
15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
151 ft
·
4 sec
·
Washington Street
16
Keep slight left to continue on Railroad Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
17
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
18
Turn right onto 10th Street
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
10th Street
19
Turn left
48 mi
·
55 min
20
Take the ramp right toward I-70 East, Salina
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I-70 East, Salina
21
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
23
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
25
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
26
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
55 mi
·
56 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
27
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 69 North, US 169 South
29
Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South 7th Street Trafficway
30
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft
·
18 sec
·
Armstrong Avenue
31
Turn left
148 ft
·
11 sec
32
Arrive at your destination
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 216.5 miles from Ulysses, KS, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
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 95 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.5 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ulysses, 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 Ulysses, KS
This is one driving day of about 433.1 miles and 6h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Ulysses, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 216.5 mi from Ulysses, KS · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
217 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 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 216.5 miles from Ulysses, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kansas City, KS
The final approach into Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, 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
$65.78 one way
$131.57 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
152 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $72.52 | $145.04 |
| premium | $4.80 | $81.76 | $163.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $96.22 | $192.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 129.9 | 1 | $45.48 | $20.79 |
| Efficient EV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.90 | $17.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 173.2 | 2 | $60.63 | $27.72 |
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Kansas City, KS
Morning in Kansas City on Monday
Local time
9:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Lincoln, KS
217 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
6h 39m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS covers 433.1 miles and takes about 6h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Grant Avenue, South Missouri Street, East Oklahoma Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 216.5 miles from Ulysses, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.78 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ulysses, KS to Kansas City, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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