Origin
Auburn, KS
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
5:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, 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
1h 32m
Distance
75.7 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
This 75.7-mile drive from Auburn, KS to Kansas City, KS is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just about 1 hour and 32 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on the Kansas Turnpike, which makes up 83% of the route, offering a straightforward highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this is an economical journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels. This route is ideal for a quick transit, with no recommended overnight stops needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from Auburn, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 60.4 mi | 1h 1m |
| Southwest 61st Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| Southwest Auburn Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| US 75 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South 7th Street Trafficway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Southwest Burlingame Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 57th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, KS and Kansas City, KS.
1
Start on East 8th Street
34 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 8th Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
3
Continue on Southwest Auburn Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Southwest Auburn Road
4
Turn right onto Southwest 61st Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Southwest 61st Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 61st Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 61st Street
6
Continue on Southwest 61st Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 61st Street
7
Continue on Southwest Burlingame Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Burlingame Road
8
Turn slight right
206 ft
·
9 sec
9
Turn straight onto Southwest 57th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 57th Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
11
Merge onto US 75
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 75
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 470 East, I 335
13
Merge onto I 470
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
15
Merge onto I 470
60 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
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
17
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.
18
Turn left onto US 69
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft
·
17 sec
·
Armstrong Avenue
20
Turn left
149 ft
·
10 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1-hour, 32-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. There are no specific stops recommended, so you can depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $12, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before embarking on the longest 60.4-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike. This route is direct and efficient, making it a practical choice for getting from Auburn to Kansas City without extensive planning.
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 37.8 miles from Auburn, KS, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 17 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 50m 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 17m
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 Auburn, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Auburn, KS
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Auburn, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 60.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Auburn, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 73.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 470 East, I 335
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 470 East, I 335
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
5
13.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
73.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
73.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
$11.83 one way
$23.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.99 | $25.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.57 | $29.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.71 | $33.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.02
Kansas Turnpike
(60.4 mi)
$3.02
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.60 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Kansas City, KS
Late night in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
5:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Reno, KS
38 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
21 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 32m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Kansas Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 60.4 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, indicating long periods of consistent speed. While primarily a highway experience, you will also navigate sections on Southwest 61st Street and Southwest Auburn Road, suggesting a brief transition from faster speeds to potentially more local road conditions as you approach your destination. This mix offers a predictable yet varied driving feel.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and Southwest 61st Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.02 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.
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.
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 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kansas City, KS
More from Auburn, KS
More trips to Kansas City, KS
Explore more options from Auburn, KS or browse trips ending in Kansas City, KS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.