Origin
Valley Falls, KS
Morning in Valley Falls on Friday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Valley Falls, 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
1h 29m
Distance
65.2 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Valley Falls, KS
Zaur Takhgiriev
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Valley Falls, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 65.2 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on KS 16, US 24, I 435 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.9 miles on KS 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 65.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 29m highway drive covering 65.2 miles, with most of the trip on KS 16 and US 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.9 miles on KS 16.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
KS 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KS 16 and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.2 miles you will encounter 24 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 49.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint...
8
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 83
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita...
8
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: 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, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita...
7
63.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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.
On the drive from Valley Falls, KS to Lenexa, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
61.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| KS 16 | 23.9 mi | 33m |
| US 24 | 11.6 mi | 14m |
| I 435 | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| US 59 | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| West Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Speedway Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| KS 4 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
KS 16
— 23.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley Falls, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on Oak Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Oak Street
2
Turn left onto KS 16
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Phoebe Street
3
Continue on KS 16
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
9th Street
4
Turn left onto KS 4; KS 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 4; KS 16
5
Turn right onto KS 16
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
KS 16
6
At end of road, turn right onto KS 16
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
KS 16
7
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
KS 16
8
Turn right onto US 59; KS 16
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 59; KS 16
9
Turn left onto KS 16; KS 92
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
KS 16; KS 92
10
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 16; KS 92
13 mi
·
19 min
·
KS 16; KS 92
11
Turn left onto US 24; US 40
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 24; US 40
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 24; US 40
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Speedway Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Speedway Boulevard
14
Continue on North 110th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North 110th Street
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
16
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
Kansas Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 411A
Toward I 435 South
18
Merge onto I 435
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 435
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 83
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
26
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
28
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
29
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.6 mi from Valley Falls, KS · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.6 miles from Valley Falls, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.19 one way
$20.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.19 | $22.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.55 | $25.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.40 | $28.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.03
Kansas Turnpike
(0.6 mi)
$0.03
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: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.85 | $3.13 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Lenexa, KS
Morning in Lenexa on Friday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 17 mph
45% chance
Live forecast
74°F
Reno, KS
33 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
10 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
1h 29m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Valley Falls, KS to Lenexa, KS covers 65.2 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are KS 16, US 24, I 435. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.6 miles from Valley Falls, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.19 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 65.2 miles you will encounter 24 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 49.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Valley Falls, KS to Lenexa, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.
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. National park proximity is from the NPS API. 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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