Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Abilene, KS to Hutchinson, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 7, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
92.1 mi
148 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abilene, KS
Tien Nguyen
Hutchinson, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Abilene, KS to Hutchinson, KS is 92.1 miles and takes about 1h 40m via I 135 and US 81 Business, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Kansas. It's a relatively short distance, making it a convenient option for a quick transit or a relaxed day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect efficient travel with minimal fuss. This route is ideal if you're looking for a no-nonsense way to get from point A to point B across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from Abilene, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 135 | 37.2 mi | 37m |
| US 81 Business | 25 mi | 27m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 24.2 mi | 24m |
| North Buckeye Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 81 Bus | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| East 11th Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| North Maple Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East 7th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 37.2 mi, about 37m
Traffic on I-135
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~571 veh/hr typical · worst 761
Quietest
2 AM
~45 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abilene, KS and Hutchinson, KS.
1
Start on KS 15
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Buckeye Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
3
Continue on I 70; US 40
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
5
Merge onto I 135; US 81
37 mi
·
37 min
·
I 135; US 81
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 81 Business, KS 61, McPherson, Hutchinson
7
Continue on US 81 Bus; KS 61
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81 Bus; KS 61
8
Continue on US 81 Business; KS 61
25 mi
·
27 min
·
US 81 Business; KS 61
9
Turn right onto East 11th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 11th Avenue
10
Turn left onto North Maple Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Maple Street
11
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 7th Avenue
12
Turn right
62 ft
·
4 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 40m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Hutchinson without feeling rushed. The fuel cost is estimated at $14, so ensure you start with a full tank or plan a quick stop at a service area along I 135. Since the drive is under 100 miles, you won't need to plan for any significant mid-trip breaks, allowing you to arrive at your destination sooner. Keep an eye on signage as you transition off the main highway into Hutchinson for any specific local directions.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46 miles from Abilene, KS, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hutchinson, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abilene, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Abilene, KS
This is one driving day of about 92.1 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Abilene, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 135 for about 37.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46 miles from Abilene, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 92.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
26 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
5
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 81 Business, KS 61, McPherson, Hutchinson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 81 Business, KS 61, McPherson, Hutchi...
5
91.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
East 7th Avenue
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
92.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.28 one way
$28.56 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $15.66 | $31.31 |
| premium | $4.93 | $17.87 | $35.74 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $20.30 | $40.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.67 | $4.42 |
| Efficient EV | 23 | 0 | $8.06 | $3.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Abilene, KS
Afternoon in Abilene on Monday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hutchinson, KS
Afternoon in Hutchinson on Monday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
With 69% of this 92.1-mile route on the highway, you'll encounter a good amount of interstate driving. The longest continuous stretch on I 135 is 37.2 miles, providing a solid period of cruising. Expect the transition from faster highway speeds to more suburban or rural surface roads as you approach your destination. The density of exits on I 135 means you'll have options for services, but the overall feel is efficient travel.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.2 mi on I 135.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and US 81 Business. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Abilene, KS to Hutchinson, KS is easy. At 1h 40m with 69% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,599 ft
1,156 ft
Total Climb
590 ft
Total Descent
210 ft
Highest Point
1,599 ft
~85.6 mi in
Elevation Range
442 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Abilene, KS to Hutchinson, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Mcpherson along the way.
Mcpherson
63.5 mi in
|
~1h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Abilene, KS
Full guide →Founded 1857
Abilene is in Flint Hills, Kansas.
Top landmarks
- • Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home — presidential library and museum in Abilene, Kansas, U.S.
- • Lander Park Carousel — historic carousel in Abilene, Kansas
- • Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church — church building in Kansas, United States of America
Arriving in Hutchinson, KS
Full guide →Founded 1871
Hutchinson is a city in Central Kansas.
Top landmarks
- • Fox Theater — movie theater in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 92.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.2 miles on I 135. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hutchinson, KS before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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