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Trip from Abilene, KS to Kansas City, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

149.6 mi

241 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Abilene, KS, KS

Abilene, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

This straightforward 149.6-mile journey from Abilene, Kansas, to Kansas City, Kansas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. You'll be covering ground primarily on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and the Kansas Turnpike, with about 37% of the drive utilizing highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route offers an economical way to travel between two points within the Great Plains region. The drive is a mixed bag, making it a practical option for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently, with one recommended stop to break up the travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.8 miles from Abilene, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
Kansas Turnpike 54.7 mi 56m
North Buckeye Avenue 1.5 mi 3m
South 7th Street Trafficway 1.5 mi 3m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 1.1 mi 1m
I 70 0.3 mi <1m
US 69 0.2 mi <1m
Armstrong Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Abilene, KS and Kansas City, KS.

1

Start on KS 15

1.5 mi · 3 min · North Buckeye Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 70 East: Topeka
3

Merge onto I 70; US 40

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
4

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
7

Continue on I 70

55 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
9

Take the exit onto US 69

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 69
Exit 422A Toward US 69 North, US 169 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto US 69

1.5 mi · 3 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue

282 ft · 17 sec · Armstrong Avenue
12

Turn left

149 ft · 10 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour and 38-minute duration for this 149.6-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving Abilene in the morning should get you to Kansas City with ample daylight remaining. The longest stretch is a significant 89.9 miles on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, so plan your single recommended stop accordingly to refuel and stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, budgeting is simple for this direct route. Keep an eye on signage for transitions between the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and the Kansas Turnpike as you approach your destination.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.8 miles from Abilene, KS, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 33 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.8 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, 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.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Abilene, KS

This is one driving day of about 149.6 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Abilene, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 89.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

unincorporated community in Shawnee County, Kansas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tecumseh, KS

75 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

Ogden, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Silver Lake, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.8 miles from Abilene, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.2 mi

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

2.3 mi

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–9:30 pm

+19132330463

Visit website

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168943988

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19133280003

Visit website

Bob Evans

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+19132991278

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 148 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 70 East: Topeka

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, US 70 East: Topeka
6
92 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
6
147.5 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69...
9
147.8 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | US 69

Take the exit onto US 69 toward US 69 North, US 169 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 422A Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
5
148 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | US 69 / South 7th Street Trafficway

Turn left onto US 69 / South 7th Street Trafficway toward US 69 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 69 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.39 one way

$46.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.68 $51.36
premium $4.89 $28.79 $57.58
diesel $5.61 $33.03 $66.06

Estimated Tolls: $2.74

Kansas Turnpike (54.7 mi) $2.74

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.9 0 $15.71 $7.18
Efficient EV 37.4 0 $13.09 $5.98
EV Truck/SUV 59.8 0 $20.94 $9.57

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Abilene, KS

Morning in Abilene on Tuesday

Local time

6:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

36°F

Mostly Clear

NW 10 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, KS

Morning in Kansas City on Tuesday

Local time

6:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Tecumseh, KS

75 mi in

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

2h 38m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 87.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive experience on this 149.6-mile route. While 37% of your journey will be on highways, much of it will be on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 89.9 miles. This suggests a good portion of the drive will be on a well-maintained, potentially multi-lane road. The presence of the Kansas Turnpike also indicates faster-paced travel for significant segments. Overall, the personality of this drive is geared towards efficient travel rather than a winding, scenic exploration, with a clear progression through the Kansas landscape.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.5 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Kansas City, KS

Full guide →

Kansas City is a city in the state of Kansas, in the United States of America, and a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Kansas, is often referred to as KCK, and Kansas City, Missouri, as KCMO. The two Kansas Cities form the core of the wider Kansas City metropolitan area.

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 2h 38m. Total distance: 149.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.74 in tolls one way, starting with Kansas Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.5 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kansas City, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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