Attica, KS to Kansas City, KS is 273.5 miles and takes about 5h 5m via Kansas Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Kansas. With an 82% highway share, expect a focused driving experience that's well-suited for a single day. The Kansas Turnpike will be your primary companion for most of the journey, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
136.7 miles from Attica, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
217.9 mi
3h 39m
West 14th Street
15 mi
22m
West 10th Avenue
14.3 mi
21m
Hershey Highway
10.1 mi
15m
West 15th Street
6.3 mi
9m
US 160
6.1 mi
9m
South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi
3m
North G Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 217.9 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Attica, KS and Kansas City, KS.
1
Start on North Main Street
116 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 160
0.4 mi·32 sec·East Avenue C
3
Continue on US 160
10 mi·15 min·Hershey Highway
4
Turn left onto US 160; KS 2
2.9 mi·4 min·US 160; KS 2
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 160; KS 2
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 160; KS 2
6
Turn right onto US 160; KS 2
15 mi·22 min·West 14th Street
7
Continue on US 160
14 mi·21 min·West 10th Avenue
8
Continue on US 160
6.3 mi·9 min·West 15th Street
9
Turn left onto US 81; US 160
0.5 mi·1 min·North G Street
10
Turn right onto US 81; US 160
0.4 mi·39 sec·US 81; US 160
11
Enter roundabout onto US 160
110 ft·1 sec·US 160
12
Continue on US 160
3.1 mi·4 min·US 160
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
15
Merge onto I 35
107 mi·1 hr 47 min·Kansas Turnpike
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 335
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
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
18
Take the exit onto US 69
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 69
Exit 422AToward US 69 North, US 169 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 69
1.5 mi·3 min·South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 NorthUse the left lane.
20
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft·17 sec·Armstrong Avenue
21
Turn left
149 ft·10 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 5m estimated drive time, departing Attica, KS in the morning will allow you to reach Kansas City, KS with ample daylight. The longest stretch on the Kansas Turnpike is over 200 miles, so plan for a mid-drive stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, even though only one stop is factored into the planning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the latter half of the 273.5-mile journey, as services can sometimes be spaced out on turnpikes. The $43 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current gas prices before you leave is always a good idea.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 136.7 miles from Attica, KS, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.9 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 60 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.7 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Attica, 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 Attica, KS
This is one driving day of about 273.5 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Attica, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 217.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 50 and 271.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
50 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 160
Enter roundabout onto US 160
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
160.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 335 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 335 / Kansas Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
271.4 mi into trip|~5h 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
271.7 mi into trip|~5h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.39 one way
$80.78 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.59
$89.18
premium
$4.72
$50.78
$101.56
diesel
$4.80
$51.64
$103.28
Estimated Tolls: $10.90
Kansas Turnpike
(217.9 mi)$10.90
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
$40
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.72
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.93
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.29
$17.50
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Attica, KS
Late night
in Attica on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
S 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kansas City, KS
Late night
in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
95°F
Eureka, KS
137 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
2 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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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,...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 216.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend the bulk of your time on the Kansas Turnpike, enjoying a long, uninterrupted stretch of 217.9 miles. This means you can settle in for a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the main roads are largely the Kansas Turnpike, you'll also navigate through local streets like West 14th Street and West 10th Avenue as you enter your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.9 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and West 14th Street. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 50 miles in near US 160.
Driving Effort6/10
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 273.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 50 miles (US 160): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.7 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 273.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 217.9 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.90 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kansas City, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 50 miles (US 160): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.7 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kansas City, KS before the return drive.
