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Trip from Auburn, KS to Shawnee, 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

1h 33m

Distance

74.1 mi

119 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m

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 Auburn, KS, KS

Auburn, KS

Tien Nguyen

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 74.1-mile drive from Auburn, Kansas, to Shawnee, Kansas, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of $12. The journey stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. Primarily following the Kansas Turnpike, this route is largely highway-focused, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

37.1 miles from Auburn, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kansas Turnpike 54.3 mi 55m
Southwest 61st Street 5 mi 8m
Southwest Auburn Road 3 mi 7m
South 59th Street 2.8 mi 5m
US 75 1.9 mi 2m
Turner Diagonal 1.2 mi 1m
KS 32 1 mi 1m
Southwest Burlingame Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 54.3 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, KS and Shawnee, 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

54 mi · 55 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 415 Toward College Parkway
17

Keep slight right at fork

390 ft · 9 sec
Toward Turner Diagonal Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal

1.2 mi · 1 min · Turner Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on KS 32

1.0 mi · 1 min · KS 32
20

Turn right onto South 55th Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South 55th Street
21

Turn slight right

168 ft · 7 sec
Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn straight onto Inland Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Inland Drive
23

Turn left onto South 59th Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · South 59th Street
24

Turn right onto 47th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 47th Street
25

Turn left onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Bond Street
26

Arrive at destination

Bond Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 1 hour and 33-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 54.3-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike, and plan for any necessary stops before you embark on that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical drive. Since there are no specific stops recommended in the data, consider a brief break at a service area along the turnpike if needed.

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 37.1 miles from Auburn, KS, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 16 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.1 miles or 49m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, 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 74.1 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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 54.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Oskaloosa, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oskaloosa, KS

37 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

Oskaloosa, KS to Shawnee, KS

43.7 mi · 1h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Tecumseh, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reno, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.1 miles from Auburn, 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

The Restaurant KC

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 7min to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19134997456

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shawnee, Kansas

1.3 mi

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.5 mi

The Restaurant KC

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19134997456

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

Bob Evans

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+19132991278

Visit website

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19133280003

Visit website

Whataburger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19138715874

Visit website

Cafe The Mani 더마니

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Lawrence, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17857275958

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

Aunt Netters Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Lecompton, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17855036004

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 67.8 — 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.
5
67.5 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Take the exit toward College Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 415 Toward College Parkway
8
67.8 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Turner Diagonal

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Turner Diagonal

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.58 one way

$23.17 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.72 $25.44
premium $4.89 $14.26 $28.52
diesel $5.61 $16.36 $32.72

Estimated Tolls: $2.72

Kansas Turnpike (54.3 mi) $2.72

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

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 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 22.2 0 $7.78 $3.56
Efficient EV 18.5 0 $6.48 $2.96
EV Truck/SUV 29.6 0 $10.37 $4.74

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.

Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Auburn, KS

Morning in Auburn on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Morning in Shawnee on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

45°F

Oskaloosa, KS

37 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

3 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 33m 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.

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,...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 15.3
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 highway-focused experience on this route, with 77% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.3 miles along the Kansas Turnpike, meaning you'll have plenty of opportunity for steady driving. You'll navigate using main roads like the Kansas Turnpike, Southwest 61st Street, and Southwest Auburn Road. This combination suggests a drive that is mostly high-speed with some transitions onto local roads as you approach your destination.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.3 mi on Kansas Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.1 miles you will encounter 17 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Auburn, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Turner Diagonal.

Kansas City

12.8 mi in | ~24m

Turner Diagonal

67.8 mi in | ~1h 20m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.3 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.72 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 Shawnee, 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 — 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 Shawnee, 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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