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
- 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 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
Through: Newton
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
Through: Newton
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
Through: Salina → Sharon Springs
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
Lenexa, KS → Johnson, KS
Through: Newton
Kansas City, KS → Hugoton, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Leavenworth, KS → Leoti, KS
Through: Salina → Oakley → Sharon Springs
Shawnee, KS → Ulysses, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Leawood, KS → Ulysses, KS
Through: Newton
Leavenworth, KS → Goodland, KS
Through: Salina
Soldier, KS → Elkhart, KS
Through: Salina → Ellsworth → Great Bend
Leawood, KS → Atwood, KS
Through: Salina → Leoti
Kansas City, KS → Goodland, KS
Through: Salina
Pittsburg, KS → Park, KS
Through: Hutchinson
Overland Park, KS → Atwood, KS
Through: Salina → Leoti
Lenexa, KS → Goodland, KS
Through: Salina
Lakin, KS → Leawood, KS
Through: Salina → Kansas City → Lawrence
Kansas City, KS → Atwood, KS
Through: Salina → Leoti
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
Leavenworth, KS → Scott City, KS
Through: Salina → Oakley → Sharon Springs
Satanta, KS → Kansas City, KS
Through: Salina
Leawood, KS → Satanta, KS
Through: Newton