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Trip from Atwood, KS to Kansas City, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 57m

Distance

399.8 mi

643 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 45m ★
6 AM
5h 58m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 23m
8 PM
5h 50m

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 Atwood, KS, KS

Atwood, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

This 399.8-mile journey from Atwood, KS, to Kansas City, KS, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost of approximately $61, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, though you'll want to start early. The drive primarily uses local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you won't be on major highways for any significant portion. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this trip, experiencing a consistent, open landscape. This is a practical drive that requires your attention due to the frequent turns.

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

199.9 miles from Atwood, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Street — —
South Railroad Avenue — —
Dwight D — —
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — —
Kansas Turnpike — —
I 70 East — —
US 69 North — —
South 7th Street Trafficway — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: State Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South 4th Street

46 ft · 5 sec · South 4th Street
2

Turn right onto State Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · State Street
3

At the end of the road, turn left onto South Railroad Avenue

31 mi · 54 min · South Railroad Avenue
4

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec
5

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

221 mi · 3 hr 40 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9

Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
10

Continue on Kansas Turnpike

55 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
11

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis

0.3 mi · 25 sec · I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
12

Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 69 North, US 169 South
13

Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway

1.5 mi · 3 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
14

Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue

282 ft · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue
15

Turn left

148 ft · 11 sec
16

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the nearly 6-hour driving duration, an early morning departure from Atwood, KS, is your best bet to reach Kansas City, KS, within daylight. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and refuel, especially since the total fuel cost is estimated at $61. Pay close attention to road signs as you'll be on local roads for the majority of this 399.8-mile trip, which is characterized by frequent turns. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying aware of your navigation is key to a smooth arrival.

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 199.9 miles from Atwood, KS, or about 2h 58m into the drive.

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 88 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 199.9 miles or 2h 58m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 4m

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 Atwood, 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 Atwood, KS

This is one driving day of about 399.8 miles and 5h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Atwood, 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.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Junction City, KS

200 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.

Popular next leg

Junction City, KS to Kansas City, KS

126.1 mi · 2h 15m

Pacing Suggestions

Hays, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 199.9 miles from Atwood, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Center Pivot Restaurant and Brewery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Colby, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.6

Hours: 4–10 pm

+17854602772

Visit website

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

0.8 mi

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

MOJO Espresso & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atwood, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17856269011

Center Pivot Restaurant and Brewery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.6

Colby, Kansas

Hours: 4–10 pm

+17854602772

Visit website

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–9:30 pm

+19132330463

Visit website

Farm House Cooking & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Quinter, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17857548915

Visit website

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168943988

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 399.8

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

MOJO Espresso & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Atwood, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17856269011

EVgo Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 228.4

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 228.4

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 257

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

City Limits Bar & Grill

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 28.6

Colby, Kansas

Hours: 3–9 pm

+17854626565

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 399.8

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.50 one way

$125.01 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $68.63 $137.25
premium $4.89 $76.94 $153.88
diesel $5.61 $88.27 $176.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.9 1 $41.98 $19.19
Efficient EV 100 1 $34.98 $15.99
EV Truck/SUV 159.9 1 $55.97 $25.59

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Atwood, KS

Evening in Atwood on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, KS

Evening in Kansas City on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

22 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 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'Turn-heavy local drive' for this 399.8-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and along local roads for the entire duration, rather than cruising on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch of driving is not specified, but the profile suggests a need for constant engagement as you'll be making frequent adjustments. The roads will likely present a varied experience as you transition between different local networks, demanding your focus throughout the 5 hours and 57 minutes of travel time.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: State Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 57m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Atwood, KS to Kansas City, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 399.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Atwood, KS to Kansas City, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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