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Fall Road Trips in Kansas

Routes

30

Avg Distance

415 mi

Avg Drive

7h 43m

Destinations

17

Kansas in the fall offers a different kind of scenic drive, trading dramatic peaks for wide-open skies and gently rolling terrain. With 30 routes averaging 414 miles and nearly 8 hours, you can explore the state’s autumn colors. Max elevations reach up to 3,589 feet, and some routes provide fair EV coverage with up to 3 DC fast chargers.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.24/gal

Diesel: $6.28/gal

Typical trip cost

$65–$75

One-way, ~415 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~145 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-19

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

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Kansas that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 415 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.24/gallon in Kansas (week of 2026-10-19). Diesel: $6.28/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $65 and $75. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Sep, Oct, Nov, Kansas typically sees daytime highs in the 57–83°F range with about 2.5 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Editor's pick

Pittsburg, KS → Colby, KS

452.2 mi 8h 8m Score: 9/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Hutchinson

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This route boasts the highest drive score at 9, offering a mixed highway and surface profile across 452 miles. It traverses gently rolling terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 3,158 feet, for a solid day of driving.

Editor's pick

Leawood, KS → Elkhart, KS

450.6 mi 8h 44m Score: 7/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

With a drive score of 7, this 450-mile trip is mostly highway. It features gently rolling terrain and a maximum elevation of 3,589 feet, with fair EV coverage and 3 DC fast chargers along the way.

Editor's pick

Overland Park, KS → Elkhart, KS

446.1 mi 8h 38m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Another route with a drive score of 7, this 446-mile journey is primarily highway. It covers gently rolling terrain, peaking at 3,589 feet in elevation, and offers a consistent drive across the state.

Overland Park, KS → Saint Francis, KS

445.2 mi 7h 58m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Salina → Sharon Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leavenworth, KS → Saint Francis, KS

441.6 mi 7h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Salina → Sharon Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Francis, KS → Kansas City, KS

441.1 mi 7h 52m Score: 9/10 ~$74 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Johnson, KS

430.3 mi 8h 31m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Overland Park, KS → Johnson, KS

425.8 mi 8h 25m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Leoti, KS → Overland Park, KS

422.8 mi 7h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Kansas City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lenexa, KS → Johnson, KS

422.1 mi 8h 19m Score: 7/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Kansas City, KS → Hugoton, KS

421.6 mi 7h 58m Score: 9/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leavenworth, KS → Leoti, KS

419.4 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Salina → Oakley → Sharon Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Shawnee, KS → Ulysses, KS

410.6 mi 8h Score: 9/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Ulysses, KS

408.3 mi 8h 4m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Leavenworth, KS → Goodland, KS

406.9 mi 7h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Soldier, KS → Elkhart, KS

406.7 mi 8h 5m Score: 9/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Atwood, KS

406.3 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Salina → Leoti

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Goodland, KS

406.2 mi 6h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pittsburg, KS → Park, KS

405.7 mi 7h 21m Score: 9/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Hutchinson

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Overland Park, KS → Atwood, KS

404.2 mi 7h 17m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Salina → Leoti

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lenexa, KS → Goodland, KS

404.2 mi 6h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakin, KS → Leawood, KS

402.6 mi 7h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Salina → Kansas City → Lawrence

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Atwood, KS

400 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Salina → Leoti

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ulysses, KS → Lenexa, KS

399.9 mi 7h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Emporia → Kansas City → Wichita +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Scott City, KS → Leawood, KS

399.8 mi 7h Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Lawrence

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Lakin, KS

397 mi 7h 27m Score: 10/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pittsburg, KS → Ulysses, KS

396.5 mi 8h 8m Score: 9/10 ~$66 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leavenworth, KS → Scott City, KS

394.8 mi 6h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Salina → Oakley → Sharon Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Satanta, KS → Kansas City, KS

393.9 mi 7h 25m Score: 10/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Satanta, KS

390.1 mi 7h 32m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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