Fall Road Trips in Kansas
Routes
30
Avg Distance
406 mi
Avg Drive
7h 35m
Destinations
20
Kansas in the fall offers a unique driving experience, with 30 routes averaging 405 miles and over 7.5 hours. The state's gently rolling terrain can reach elevations up to 3,589 ft, providing expansive views. Fall's moderate climate makes it ideal for exploring the wide-open landscapes without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.75/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$55–$67
One-way, ~406 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~142 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
Climate through the year: Kansas
Kansas peaks at around 93°F in Jul and cools to 44°F / 23°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~5.2 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44 | 23 | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| Feb | 49 | 26 | 1.2 | 3.6 |
| Mar | 59 | 36 | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Apr | 68 | 45 | 3.1 | 0.2 |
| May | 78 | 56 | 5.2 | — |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 4.9 | — |
| Jul | 93 | 70 | 4 | — |
| Aug | 91 | 69 | 4.3 | — |
| Sep peak | 83 | 60 | 3.1 | — |
| Oct peak | 71 | 47 | 2.9 | 0.2 |
| Nov peak | 57 | 35 | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| Dec | 46 | 25 | 1.2 | 3.1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for KS — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
- Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
- Kansas routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall Routes
Editor's pick
Pittsburg, KS → Colby, KS
Through: Hutchinson
This 452-mile route hits a high drive score of 9, showcasing gently rolling terrain with a maximum elevation of 3,158 ft. It mixes highway and surface roads for a varied driving experience.
Editor's pick
Leawood, KS → Elkhart, KS
Through: Newton
Covering 450 miles, this drive features mostly highway with gently rolling terrain reaching 3,589 ft. It's a solid option for experiencing the state's breadth.
Editor's pick
Overland Park, KS → Elkhart, KS
Through: Newton
Traversing 446 miles, this all-highway route also reaches a maximum elevation of 3,589 ft across its gently rolling terrain, offering a consistent driving pace.
Leavenworth, KS → Saint Francis, KS
Through: Salina → Sharon Springs
Saint Francis, KS → Kansas City, KS
Leawood, KS → Johnson, KS
Through: Newton
Overland Park, KS → Johnson, KS
Through: Newton
Leoti, KS → Overland Park, KS
Through: Kansas City
Kansas City, KS → Hugoton, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Shawnee, KS → Ulysses, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Elkhart, KS → Soldier, KS
Through: Salina
Leawood, KS → Atwood, KS
Through: Salina → Leoti
Kansas City, KS → Goodland, KS
Through: Salina
Pittsburg, KS → Park, KS
Through: Hutchinson
Lakin, KS → Leawood, KS
Through: Salina → Kansas City → Lawrence
Atwood, KS → Kansas City, KS
Ulysses, KS → Lenexa, KS
Through: Emporia → Kansas City → Wichita +1 more
Scott City, KS → Leawood, KS
Through: Kansas City → Lawrence
Kansas City, KS → Lakin, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Pittsburg, KS → Ulysses, KS
Satanta, KS → Kansas City, KS
Through: Salina
Overland Park, KS → Satanta, KS
Through: Newton
Leavenworth, KS → Holcomb, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Kansas City, KS → Plains, KS
Through: Wichita
Pittsburg, KS → Garden City, KS
Through: Hutchinson
Kansas City, KS → Holcomb, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Leawood, KS → Colby, KS
Through: Salina
Garden City, KS → Leavenworth, KS
Through: Salina → Kansas City
Garden City, KS → Kansas City, KS
Through: Salina
Leavenworth, KS → Colby, KS
Through: Salina