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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

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 406 miles).
Current regular gas averages $3.75/gallon in Kansas (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $55 and $67. 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 ~$67 fuel

Through: Hutchinson

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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

450.6 mi 8h 44m Score: 7/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

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

446.1 mi 8h 38m Score: 7/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

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

441.6 mi 7h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$65 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 ~$65 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Johnson, KS

430.3 mi 8h 31m Score: 7/10 ~$64 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Overland Park, KS → Johnson, KS

425.8 mi 8h 25m Score: 7/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots

Leoti, KS → Overland Park, KS

422.8 mi 7h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Kansas City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Hugoton, KS

421.6 mi 7h 58m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Shawnee, KS → Ulysses, KS

410.6 mi 8h Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Elkhart, KS → Soldier, KS

406.8 mi 8h 5m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Atwood, KS

406.3 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Salina → Leoti

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Goodland, KS

406.2 mi 6h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pittsburg, KS → Park, KS

405.7 mi 7h 21m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Hutchinson

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakin, KS → Leawood, KS

402.6 mi 7h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Salina → Kansas City → Lawrence

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Atwood, KS → Kansas City, KS

400.1 mi 7h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ulysses, KS → Lenexa, KS

399.9 mi 7h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$59 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 ~$59 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Lawrence

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Lakin, KS

397 mi 7h 27m Score: 10/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pittsburg, KS → Ulysses, KS

396.5 mi 8h 8m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Satanta, KS → Kansas City, KS

393.9 mi 7h 25m Score: 10/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Overland Park, KS → Satanta, KS

385.6 mi 7h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Newton

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leavenworth, KS → Holcomb, KS

382.9 mi 7h 16m Score: 10/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Plains, KS

382.4 mi 7h 3m Score: 10/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Wichita

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pittsburg, KS → Garden City, KS

382.3 mi 7h 31m Score: 9/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Hutchinson

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, KS → Holcomb, KS

382.3 mi 7h 11m Score: 10/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leawood, KS → Colby, KS

377.7 mi 6h 32m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Garden City, KS → Leavenworth, KS

374.3 mi 7h 6m Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Salina → Kansas City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Garden City, KS → Kansas City, KS

373.8 mi 7h Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Leavenworth, KS → Colby, KS

372.1 mi 6h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Salina

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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