Traveling from Baker to Overland Park covers 92.3 miles of the Kansas Great Plains, typically taking about 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it remains a budget-friendly option for your regional travels. Since both the origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains, you can expect consistent terrain throughout the journey. Because there are no mandatory stops required to complete the drive, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time as you transition across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.2 miles from Baker, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 29
16.8 mi
18m
US 73 Highway
15.7 mi
23m
45 Highway
13.7 mi
18m
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
12.3 mi
14m
US Highway 73
8.2 mi
9m
US 73
6 mi
9m
273 Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Metcalf Avenue
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baker, KS and Overland Park, KS.
1
Start on 170th Street
1.9 mi·4 min·170th Street
2
Turn right onto US 73; US 159
6.0 mi·9 min·US 73; US 159
3
Turn left onto US 73; US 159; KS 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
4
Continue on US 73; KS 20
0.2 mi·26 sec·110th Street
5
Continue on US 73; KS 20
8.2 mi·9 min·US Highway 73
6
Continue on US 73
16 mi·23 min·US 73 Highway
7
Continue on Woodlawn Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·Woodlawn Avenue
8
Keep slight right at fork
472 ft·9 sec
9
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Main Street
10
Turn right onto South 4th Street
415 ft·14 sec·South 4th Street
11
Turn left onto US 59
0.5 mi·59 sec·Amelia Earhart Bridge
12
Continue on US 59; MO 273
3.3 mi·4 min·Southwest 59 Highway
13
Turn right onto MO 45; MO 273
1.7 mi·2 min·Southwest 45 Highway
14
Continue on MO 45; MO 273
14 mi·18 min·45 Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto MO 273
4.0 mi·5 min·273 Highway
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto MO 273
0.6 mi·1 min·273 Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
18
Merge onto I 29; US 71
3.8 mi·4 min·I 29; US 71
19
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
11 mi·11 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 3BToward I 635 South: KansasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 635
1.8 mi·2 min·Harry Darby Memorial Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635
11 mi·12 min·Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Continue on US 69
1.6 mi·2 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Metcalf Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto West 80th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·West 80th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Marty Street
482 ft·22 sec·Marty Street
28
Turn right onto West 81st Street
182 ft·14 sec·West 81st Street
29
Turn left
134 ft·9 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 7-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road early if you want to avoid peak traffic, though the lack of scheduled stops means you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort. Keep your fuel budget of $14 in mind, and consider filling up before you depart to ensure a seamless trip. Because you will be navigating a mix of US 73 Highway and 45 Highway, stay alert for changes in speed limits and road signage. Prioritize checking your route map before leaving to stay confident on the transitions between the highway segments and local roads.
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 46.2 miles from Baker, KS, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.8 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baker, 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 Baker, KS
This is one driving day of about 92.3 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Baker, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 16.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.9 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|MO 273 / 273 Highway
At end of road, turn left onto MO 273 / 273 Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
7
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 635 South: Kansas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3B
Toward I 635 South: Kansas
6
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
89.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|Metcalf Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto Metcalf Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.43 one way
$28.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.84
$31.69
premium
$4.89
$17.76
$35.52
diesel
$5.61
$20.38
$40.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.7
0
$9.69
$4.43
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.08
$3.69
EV Truck/SUV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.91
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Baker, KS
Late night
in Baker on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Overland Park, KS
Late night
in Overland Park on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
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
2h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with local road navigation. You will spend 51% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of I-29, US 73 Highway, and 45 Highway to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.8-mile segment on I-29, which offers a brief period of steady cruising. As you progress, the road shifts between these main thoroughfares, creating a varied pace that keeps you engaged. This blend of road types ensures the drive feels dynamic rather than repetitive as you move between regions.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.8 mi on I 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.9 miles in near MO 273 / 273 Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 92.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles (MO 273 / 273 Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Overland Park is a city in northeastern Kansas within the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a melting-pot of both urban and suburban living. With 197,000 residents (2020), it is one of the most affluent cities in the U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 92.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.8 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Overland Park, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles (MO 273 / 273 Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Overland Park, KS before heading back.
