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Trip from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

145.4 mi

234 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 59m

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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Downtown Washington, KS, KS

Washington, KS

Townsend Walton

city in and county seat of Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States

Leavenworth, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 145.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pony Express Highway, US 36 Highway, US 73 Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.9 miles on Pony Express Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.73 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.7 miles from Washington, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 145.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (38%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 145.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m, 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 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pony Express Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 3rd Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS is easy. At 3h 5m with 38% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (B Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 36 / East 7th Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 3rd Street

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | B Street

Turn right onto B Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 36 / East 7th Street

Turn left onto US 36 / East 7th Street

Navigation decision point

4
119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | North 10th Street

Turn right onto North 10th Street

Navigation decision point

4
143.8 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | KS 92 / Spruce Street

Turn left onto KS 92 / Spruce Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pony Express Highway 52.9 mi 1h 3m
US 36 Highway 23.4 mi 26m
US 73 Highway 11.3 mi 12m
Highway 36 11.1 mi 12m
Amelia Earhart Drive 10.3 mi 11m
Highway 7 10 mi 17m
17th Road 5.7 mi 6m
K7 Highway 5.6 mi 9m
Longest stretch: Pony Express Highway — 52.9 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Washington, KS and Leavenworth, KS.

1

Start on C Street

218 ft · 15 sec · C Street
2

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · East 3rd Street
3

Turn right onto B Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · B Street
4

Turn left onto US 36

0.2 mi · 17 sec · East 7th Street
5

Continue on US 36

5.7 mi · 6 min · 17th Road
6

Continue on US 36

3.3 mi · 3 min · Pony Express Avenue
7

Continue on US 36

4.2 mi · 4 min · 19th Road
8

Continue on US 36

8.2 mi · 10 min · Pony Express Highway
9

Continue on US 36; US 77

1.2 mi · 2 min · Center Street
10

Continue on US 36

5.5 mi · 7 min · Pony Express Highway
11

Continue on US 36

0.4 mi · 37 sec · 3rd Street
12

Continue on US 36

39 mi · 46 min · Pony Express Highway
13

Continue on US 36

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 36 Highway
14

Continue on US 36

0.7 mi · 47 sec · West 1st Street
15

Continue on US 36

21 mi · 23 min · US 36 Highway
16

Continue on US 36

11 mi · 12 min · Highway 36
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
18

Turn right onto K-7

10 mi · 17 min · Highway 7
19

Continue on K-7

5.6 mi · 9 min · K7 Highway
20

Continue on Unity Street

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Unity Street
21

Turn right onto North 10th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North 10th Street
22

Continue on US 73; K-7

11 mi · 12 min · US 73 Highway
23

Continue on US 73; K-7

10 mi · 11 min · Amelia Earhart Drive
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec
25

Turn left onto North 20th Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · North 20th Street
26

Turn left onto KS 92

1.5 mi · 2 min · Spruce Street
27

Turn left

277 ft · 20 sec
28

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 72.7 miles from Washington, KS, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 32 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.7 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Washington, 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 Washington, KS

This is one driving day of about 145.4 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Washington, 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 Pony Express Highway for about 52.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.7 mi from Washington, KS · 1h 28m into the drive

person who professionally produces and optionally sells breads, rolls, biscuits or cookies, and other pastry

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Baker, KS

73 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

Marysville, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sabetha, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Washington, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Leavenworth, KS

The final approach into Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, KS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seneca, Kansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17853348226

Visit website

New China Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hiawatha, Kansas

1.5 mi

A&W Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fairview, Kansas

1.8 mi

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.9

Seneca, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17853348226

Visit website

New China Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.1

Hiawatha, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+17857422555

Visit website

A&W Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.7

Fairview, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

Visit website

Cedar Ridge Catering & Banquet Hall

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 114.2

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: Closed

+19133674357

Visit website

Mr. G's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.6

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+19134264674

Visit website

Paolucci Restaurant, Deli & Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.6

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19133676105

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.73 one way

$45.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.96 $49.92
premium $4.89 $27.98 $55.96
diesel $5.61 $32.10 $64.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.6 0 $15.27 $6.98
Efficient EV 36.4 0 $12.72 $5.82
EV Truck/SUV 58.2 0 $20.36 $9.31

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Washington, KS

Late night in Washington on Saturday

Local time

1:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Leavenworth, KS

Late night in Leavenworth on Saturday

Local time

1:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 17 mph 84% chance Live forecast

74°F

Baker, KS

73 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

3h 5m 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 Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 145.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pony Express Highway, US 36 Highway, US 73 Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.7 miles from Washington, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.73 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS is easy. At 3h 5m with 38% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (B Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 36 / East 7th Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Washington, KS to Leavenworth, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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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