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Leavenworth, KS Road Trips

With 14 routes heading out and 0 heading in, Leavenworth, KS works well as a modest departure point in the Great Plains. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 159-mile quick runs to 442-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Leavenworth, KS head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

city in and county seat of Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

14

Longest Drive

441.6 mi

Saint Francis, KS

Quickest Drive

2h 58m

Marion, KS

Plan Around Leavenworth, KS

Trips from Leavenworth, KS

Driving from Leavenworth, KS

On average, trips departing from Leavenworth, KS run 244 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 35m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 442 miles (7h 57m), while the shortest is just 159 miles.

Popular Destinations

Top road trip destinations from Leavenworth, KS are Saint Francis, KS (441.6 mi, 7h 57m), Holcomb, KS (382.9 mi, 7h 16m), Dodge City, KS (334.6 mi, 6h 16m), Medicine Lodge, KS (281.2 mi, 5h 42m), and Attica, KS (260.3 mi, 5h 10m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in KS currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 244-mile trip from Leavenworth, KS, budget about $36 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 14 mapped routes leaving Leavenworth, KS and 0 routes heading into Leavenworth, KS, covering 14 total connections. Distances range from 159 to 442 miles.

The longest mapped route from Leavenworth, KS covers 442 miles and takes approximately 7h 57m. Shorter options start at just 159 miles.

The average route from Leavenworth, KS runs about 244 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 35m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 244-mile trip from Leavenworth, KS costs roughly $36 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Leavenworth, KS include Saint Francis, KS, Holcomb, KS, Dodge City, KS and Medicine Lodge, KS. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Leavenworth, KS by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

37,176

Median Income

$71,239

Median Home Value

$176,000

Median Age

35.6

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Leavenworth, KS at a Glance

Founded

1854

Elevation

840 ft

Area

24 mi²

Sister Cities

Wagga Wagga Omihachiman

Notable People from Leavenworth, KS

A sampling of people born in Leavenworth, KS.

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge

1961

American singer-songwriter

Dean Potter

Dean Potter

1972–2015

American rock climber (1972–2015)

Doug Lamborn

Doug Lamborn

1954

U.S. Representative from Colorado

Hilda Clark

Hilda Clark

1872–1932

American model and actress (1872-1932)

R. H. Barlow

1918–1951

American anthropologist (1918–1951)

Wayne Simien

Wayne Simien

1983

American basketball player

Elizabeth Gould Davis

1910–1974

American writer

Gary Foster

Gary Foster

1936

Musician, Instrumentalist

Merrell Vories Hitotsuyanagi

Merrell Vories Hitotsuyanagi

1880–1964

American architect (1880–1964)

Landmarks & Historic Sites

Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Leavenworth, KS.

Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center

Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center

historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States

National Register of Historic Places listed place listed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places
Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth

Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth

building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA

National Register of Historic Places listed place listed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places
Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers

Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers

historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States

National Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places listed place
Leavenworth National Cemetery

Leavenworth National Cemetery

cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas

City data from Wikidata (Q1762867), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Leavenworth, KS

Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas. Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.

Leavenworth has numerous historic vintage homes, sites, depots, and, of course, the "Big House", the United States Federal Penitentiary. Leavenworth boasts numerous beautiful Victorian homes, such as the Carroll Mansion and several preserved depots that are available for touring. 1 Fort Leavenworth. Was established in 1827 and is the oldest fort in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. For the next several decades it played an important role in keeping the peace among the various Indian tribes and the increasing number of settlers heading west. By the 1840s, travel to Oregon and California had begun and thousands of wagons passed through Fort Leavenworth on the way to the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. Fort Leavenworth is well preserved with many historic sites. The Buffalo Soldier Monument is a magnificent tribute to the 9th and 10th Cavalry of Black Soldiers that were forgotten in history. (updated May 2020)

1 C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, 320 S Esplanade, ☏ +1 913 682-1331. (updated May 2020)

Hyundai Korean Restaurant, 749 Shawnee Rd, ☏ +1 913-651-2622. Probably the most authentic ethnic food in town. Bibimbap, kimchee, and gimbap all taste like they were magically teleported from a street stall or hole-in-wall diner in Seoul. A small Asian grocery store is in the same building. Homer's Drive In, 1320 South 4th St, ☏ +1 913-651-3500. A locally owned greasy spoon if you're craving a burger and milkshake that's not from McDonald's or Burger King.

Travel tips adapted from Leavenworth (Kansas) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.

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