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Trip from Wichita, KS to Lakin, KS

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

231.8 mi

373 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 39m

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

Wichita, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Wichita, KS to Lakin, KS covers 231.8 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 50, Cannonball Stageline, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.4 miles on US 50. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.24 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

115.9 miles from Wichita, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Wichita, KS to Lakin, KS covers 231.8 miles and takes about 4h 46m, 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 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 13 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

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

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
204.5 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | US 50; US 83; US 400

Merge onto US 50; US 83; US 400

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 74.4 mi 1h 31m
Cannonball Stageline 60.2 mi 1h 8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 41.8 mi 48m
US 400 36.7 mi 46m
The Yellow Brick Road 8.3 mi 9m
East 1st Street 3.1 mi 6m
D Avenue 2.4 mi 5m
West Wyatt Earp Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 74.4 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wichita, KS and Lakin, 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

0.5 mi · 55 sec · South Broadway Avenue
7

Turn right onto East Kellogg Drive

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Kellogg Drive
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 54 West
9

Merge onto US 54; US 400

42 mi · 48 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14

2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
11

Continue on US 54; US 400

31 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 54; US 400

3.1 mi · 6 min · East 1st Street
13

Continue on US 54; US 400

29 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
14

Continue on US 54; US 400

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Kansas Avenue
15

Continue on US 54; US 400

8.3 mi · 9 min · The Yellow Brick Road
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 400

37 mi · 46 min · US 400
17

Turn right onto North 14th Avenue

515 ft · 17 sec · North 14th Avenue
18

Turn left onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
19

Continue on US 50

47 mi · 59 min · US 50
20

Take the exit onto US 50; US 400

0.4 mi · 54 sec · US 50; US 400
21

Merge onto US 50; US 83; US 400

22 mi · 25 min · US 50; US 83; US 400
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 50; US 400

5.3 mi · 6 min · US 50; US 400
23

Turn left onto KS 25

0.4 mi · 34 sec · North Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

KS 25

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 115.9 miles from Wichita, KS, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.9 miles or 2h 21m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakin, 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 231.8 miles and 4h 46m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 50 for about 74.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 115.9 mi from Wichita, KS · 2h 21m into the drive

city in and county seat of Ochiltree County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Perryton, TX

116 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

Newton, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hill City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from Wichita, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.4 miles.

Arriving in Lakin, KS

The final approach into Lakin, 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 Lakin, 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

$36.24 one way

$72.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.79 $79.58
premium $4.89 $44.61 $89.22
diesel $5.61 $51.18 $102.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.5 0 $24.34 $11.13
Efficient EV 58 0 $20.28 $9.27
EV Truck/SUV 92.7 1 $32.45 $14.84

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Wichita, KS

Late night in Wichita on Wednesday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

SSW 22 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 13 at 3:00PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 3:00PM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Destination

Lakin, KS

Late night in Lakin on Wednesday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Sunny

WSW 21 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 13 at 3:00PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 3:00PM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

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

2 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

4h 46m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Lakin, KS covers 231.8 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, Cannonball Stageline, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.9 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 $36.24 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.8 miles you will encounter 13 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.
The route from Wichita, KS to Lakin, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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