If you are planning a trip from Belle Plaine to Salina, expect a straightforward 113.5-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects two points within the Great Plains region without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-135, the Kansas Turnpike, and North Broadway Road to navigate between these two Kansas hubs. Budgeting roughly $17 for fuel should cover your travel costs for the drive. Because the trip is relatively short and direct, it offers a reliable, no-fuss option for travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Belle Plaine, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 135
93.1 mi
1h 36m
Kansas Turnpike
8.4 mi
8m
North Broadway Road
5.5 mi
8m
East 90th Avenue North
2.5 mi
4m
West State Street
1.3 mi
2m
West Iron Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Kansas Star Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, KS and Salina, KS.
1
Start on North Merchant Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·North Merchant Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·West 4th Avenue
3
Continue on East 90th Avenue North
2.5 mi·4 min·East 90th Avenue North
4
Turn right onto North Broadway Road
5.5 mi·8 min·North Broadway Road
5
Turn right onto 144th Avenue
285 ft·14 sec·144th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Kansas Star Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·Kansas Star Drive
7
Continue on Kansas Star Drive
391 ft·11 sec·Kansas Star Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
9
Enter roundabout
293 ft·6 sec
10
Continue
0.2 mi·31 sec
11
Turn left
151 ft·4 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 35
13
Merge onto I 35
8.4 mi·8 min·Kansas Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 42Toward I 135, I 235, US 81: South Wichita, Salina
15
Continue on I 135
93 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 135
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward KS 140
17
Turn right onto West State Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·West State Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft·9 sec
19
Turn straight onto West State Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West State Street
20
Turn right onto North College Avenue
379 ft·15 sec·North College Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Iron Avenue
22
Turn right onto South 8th Street
92 ft·3 sec·South 8th Street
23
Arrive at destination
South 8th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable two-hour trek, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily complete the 113.5-mile distance in one go, though taking a quick break after the long I-135 stretch is always a smart move for your focus. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Belle Plaine so you can comfortably manage the $17 estimated cost for the trip. Given the highway-heavy nature of this route, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for sustained high-speed driving. Taking advantage of the direct nature of this connection allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Salina.
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 56.7 miles from Belle Plaine, KS, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 43m
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 Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, KS
This is one driving day of about 113.5 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Belle Plaine, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 135 for about 93.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 17.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West 4th Avenue
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
8.3 mi into trip|~13m in|Kansas Star Drive
Turn left onto Kansas Star Drive
Navigation decision point
5
8.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
9.1 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 35
6
17.6 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 135, I 235, US 81: South Wichita, Salina
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward I 135, I 235, US 81: South Wichita, Sali...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.74 one way
$35.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.48
$38.97
premium
$4.89
$21.84
$43.68
diesel
$5.61
$25.06
$50.12
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Kansas Turnpike
(8.4 mi)$0.42
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
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.92
$5.45
Efficient EV
28.4
0
$9.93
$4.54
EV Truck/SUV
45.4
0
$15.89
$7.26
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Belle Plaine, KS
Late night
in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salina, KS
Late night
in Salina on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
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
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?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 89% of your time spent on major roads. You should prepare for a consistent, interstate-focused experience, highlighted by a significant 93.1-mile stretch on I-135. Because the route is dominated by high-speed corridors, it lacks the technical challenges of local backroads, allowing for a steady and predictable pace. You will find that the transition between these major arteries is seamless, keeping your focus on the road ahead. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and accessibility over winding scenery.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.1 mi on I 135.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and Kansas Turnpike. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 113.5 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 0.1 miles (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (Kansas Star Drive): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 113.5 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 (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.1 miles on I 135. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.42 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (Kansas Star Drive): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salina, KS before heading back.
