Connecting Baxter Springs to Salina, this 268.5-mile journey takes you across the heart of the Great Plains. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. By utilizing a combination of the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, US 400, and I-135, you will traverse the Kansas landscape efficiently. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the state of Kansas, you will enjoy a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a reliable choice for a quick trek across the plains.
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
134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 135
80.8 mi
1h 21m
US 400
70.5 mi
1h 22m
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
61.6 mi
1h 11m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
17.9 mi
21m
KS 96
12.3 mi
14m
US 69
11.1 mi
13m
US 69 Alternate
7.3 mi
8m
Military Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter Springs, KS and Salina, KS.
1
Start on US 166
50 ft·8 sec·West 12th Street
2
Turn left onto US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi·3 min·Military Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
1.8 mi·2 min·US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
4
Enter roundabout onto US 69 Alternate; US 400
159 ft·2 sec·US 69 Alternate; US 400
5
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.3 mi·8 min·US 69 Alternate; US 400
6
Continue on US 69; US 160; US 400
11 mi·13 min·US 69; US 160; US 400
7
Turn left onto US 400
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 400
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto US 400
170 ft·2 sec·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 400
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.3 mi·8 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
0.7 mi·1 min·East 7th Avenue
12
Continue on US 54; US 400
11 mi·13 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
14
Continue on KS 96
10 mi·11 min·KS 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96
2.2 mi·2 min·KS 96
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, HutchinsonUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 135; US 81; KS 15
18 mi·18 min·I 135; US 81; KS 15
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.1 mi·2 min·I 135; US 50; US 81
18
Continue on I 135; US 81
61 mi·1 hr·I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward KS 140
20
Turn right onto West State Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·West State Street
21
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft·9 sec
22
Turn straight onto West State Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West State Street
23
Turn right onto North College Avenue
379 ft·15 sec·North College Avenue
24
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Iron Avenue
25
Turn right onto South 8th Street
92 ft·3 sec·South 8th Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 8th Street
Trip Plan
Planning for a single-day trip is ideal here, as the 5-hour and 6-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. You only need to account for one stop to break up the journey, though you may want to plan that break around the transition between US 400 and I-135 to maximize your momentum. Since you are covering a significant distance, check your fuel levels before hitting the longest 80.8-mile stretch on I-135 to ensure you stay within your $41 estimated budget. Leaving in the morning will help you avoid fatigue during the final leg into Salina. Keep a steady pace to maintain the efficiency this highway-heavy route is designed to provide.
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 134.2 miles from Baxter Springs, KS, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salina, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, KS
This is one driving day of about 268.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Baxter Springs, 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 I 135 for about 80.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue
Turn left onto US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
4 mi into trip|~5m in|US 69 Alternate; US 400
Enter roundabout onto US 69 Alternate; US 400
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
22.4 mi into trip|~27m in|US 400
Turn left onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
173 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
8
183.4 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|KS 96
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96 toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.98 one way
$83.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.09
$92.18
premium
$4.89
$51.67
$103.34
diesel
$5.61
$59.28
$118.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Baxter Springs, KS
Evening
in Baxter Springs on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salina, KS
Evening
in Salina on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Andover, KS
134 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
25 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 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 68% of your journey spent on high-speed routes that allow for steady progress. You will encounter a mix of road types, including the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway and US 400, before transitioning onto the interstate system. The most significant stretch of the trip occurs on I-135, where you will face 80.8 miles of uninterrupted driving. Expect a practical, no-nonsense experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding roads. As you move through the Great Plains, the terrain remains relatively consistent, providing a predictable environment that is ideal for those who prefer straightforward interstate travel.
68% 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: 80.8 mi on I 135.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and US 400. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue.
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 268.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (US 69 Alternate; US 400): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.4 miles (US 400): 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.
On the drive from Baxter Springs, KS to Salina, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Hutchinson along the way.
Baxter Springs population 4250, is a city on historic Route 66 in Southeastern Kansas. During the US Civil War, it briefly hosted a US fortress (Fort Baxter, aka Fort Blair, abandoned 1863) and was the site of the Baxter Springs Massacre battle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 268.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.8 miles on I 135. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Salina, 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: near the start (US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66 / Military Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (US 69 Alternate; US 400): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Salina, KS before the return drive.
