Road Trips from Kansas City, KS
Looking for a quick escape from Kansas City, KS? You've got options ranging from short, hour-long drives to longer, half-day adventures. Most routes stick to highways, making them straightforward drives, but there are a few mixed terrain options if you want a bit more variety. While many trips are day trips, the longer hauls mean you could easily make them into overnights if you decide to extend your stay. Consider these if you're after a simple drive or want to hit a park along the way.
Total Routes
33
Shortest
0.5h
With Parks Nearby
10
Under 2 hours
8 total in this range
De Soto, KS
40m29 mi one way
A 0.7-hour trip to De Soto, KS, this route is mostly highway, offering a direct and efficient drive. It's one of the closest options, perfect for a brief excursion when you don't have much time.
Osage City, KS
1h 51m96.8 mi one way
This 1.9-hour drive takes you to Osage City, KS, on a mostly highway route. It's a longer option than the closest destinations, providing more time on the road for a substantial day trip.
Lyndon, KS
1h 40m90.9 mi one way
Lyndon, KS, is 1.7 hours away via a highway-focused drive. This route is similar in length to Osage City, offering a solid half-day drive without significant terrain changes.
Tecumseh, KS
1h 6m59.1 mi one way
Wathena, KS
1h 7m55.7 mi one way
Full-day getaway
18 total in this range
Salina, KS
3h 3m173.2 mi one way
For a longer trip, Salina, KS, is 3.1 hours away. This mixed drive has a high drive score (10) and includes access to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, making it a notable option for history buffs.
Herington, KS
2h 43m143 mi one way
This 2.7-hour drive to Herington, KS, is highway-focused with a strong drive score of 10. It's a good middle-ground option for a longer day trip, offering efficiency on the road.
Gypsum, KS
3h 16m178.7 mi one way
Gypsum, KS, is a 3.3-hour drive, making it one of the longest options. This mixed terrain route has a perfect drive score of 10, suggesting a rewarding experience for the longer journey.
Wichita, KS
3h 25m196.6 mi one way
Wichita, KS, is a 3.4-hour drive, positioning it as a substantial trip. This highway-focused route also includes access to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, combining distance with a historical point of interest.
Erie, KS
2h 54m134.3 mi one way
Erie, KS, is 2.9 hours away on a highway-focused route. With a high drive score of 9, it offers a compelling journey for those looking for a longer day trip without complex terrain.
Weekend trip
7 total in this range
Dodge City, KS
6h 11m333.9 mi one way
At 6.2 hours, Dodge City, KS, is the longest direct drive. This route features mixed highway and surface roads, a perfect drive score of 10, and access to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, ideal for an extended excursion.
Fort Dodge, KS
6h 11m332.5 mi one way
Similar to Dodge City, Fort Dodge, KS, is a 6.2-hour drive. This mixed terrain route also boasts a drive score of 10 and includes Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, offering a comparable long-haul experience.
Osborne, KS
4h 49m256.9 mi one way
Hugoton, KS
7h 58m421.6 mi one way
Colby, KS
6h 20m371.4 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Salina, KS
3h 3m173.2 mi one way
Dodge City, KS
6h 11m333.9 mi one way
Fort Dodge, KS
6h 11m332.5 mi one way
Osborne, KS
4h 49m256.9 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
With many highway-focused routes, spring drives are efficient. Destinations like Basehor offer parks for enjoying warmer weather.
Summer
Longer drives to places like Wichita or Dodge City are feasible in summer, with parks available at some destinations.
Fall
The mixed terrain drives to Salina or Gypsum could be particularly scenic in fall.
Winter
Shorter, highway-focused trips to places like De Soto or Basehor are practical for winter excursions.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Kansas City, KS city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.