Origin
Wichita, KS
Afternoon in Wichita on Sunday
Local time
4:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wichita, KS to Arkansas City, KS
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
62.1 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wichita, KS
Tien Nguyen
Arkansas City, KS
Shea B
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Wichita to Arkansas City, you are in for a straightforward 62.1-mile journey across the Kansas plains. Plan for about 1 hour and 18 minutes of driving time, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route will primarily utilize the Kansas Turnpike, East 160th Street South, and South Broadway Avenue. With a total estimated fuel cost of just $9, it is a very budget-friendly excursion. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a quick, efficient connection between these two Kansas communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
31 miles from Wichita, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination. Roughly 61% of your journey is spent on major highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the 62.1 miles. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 37.6 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, which allows for smooth, predictable travel. As you transition off the turnpike and onto local roads like South Broadway Avenue, the environment shifts from high-speed transit to a more regional driving experience. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers or winding roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kansas Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 37.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and East 160th Street South. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Market Street
Turn right onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 3rd Street North
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
Navigation decision point
8
6.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Turn left toward I 35, KTA
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, KTA
8
44.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Have...
Towns Along This Route
Between Wichita, KS and Arkansas City, KS, road signs point toward Kta and Haven.
Kta
6.4 mi in
|
~11m
Haven
44.7 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 37.6 mi | 37m |
| East 160th Street South | 16.1 mi | 24m |
| South Broadway Avenue | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| East 47th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 135 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Central Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Washington Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 37.6 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wichita, KS and Arkansas City, KS.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
187 ft
·
15 sec
3
Turn right onto North Market Street
361 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Market Street
4
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
370 ft
·
20 sec
·
East 3rd Street North
5
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Broadway Street
6
Continue on South Broadway Avenue
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Broadway Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 81
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
East 47th Street South
8
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35, KTA
Use the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 135
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 135
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City
11
Merge onto I 35
38 mi
·
37 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4
Toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven
Use the slight right lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 166
16 mi
·
24 min
·
East 160th Street South
14
Turn left onto South 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
South 8th Street
15
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Washington Avenue
16
Turn left onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South 4th Street
17
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Central Avenue
18
Turn right
120 ft
·
8 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this trip only takes about 78 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits you best. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before departing, though with a $9 cost, it is easy to budget for a tank fill-up either before you leave Wichita or upon arrival. Because the longest stretch of 37.6 miles happens on the Kansas Turnpike, ensure you have your payment method ready for any potential tolls before merging onto the interstate. Embracing the short duration of this drive means you can spend more time at your destination rather than worrying about complex logistics or rest breaks.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31 miles from Wichita, KS, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.6 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 62.1 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS
This is one driving day of about 62.1 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wichita, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 37.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31 mi from Wichita, KS · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31 miles from Wichita, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arkansas City, KS
The final approach into Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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
$9.43 one way
$18.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.80 | $27.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.88
Kansas Turnpike
(37.6 mi)
$1.88
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
$9
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Arkansas City, KS
Afternoon in Arkansas City on Sunday
Local time
4:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Andover, KS
31 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
4 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
1h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wichita, KS to Arkansas City, KS covers 62.1 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kansas Turnpike, East 160th Street South, South Broadway Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31 miles from Wichita, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.43 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 62.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.
Between Wichita, KS and Arkansas City, KS, road signs point toward Kta and Haven.
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