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Trip from Benton, KS to Overland Park, 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

3h 1m

Distance

170.3 mi

274 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Benton, KS, KS

Benton, KS

Zsolt Pujsz

Downtown Overland Park, KS, KS

Overland Park, KS

Sam McCool

Trip Overview

Embarking from Benton, Kansas, this 170.3-mile journey to Overland Park is a straightforward drive through the heart of the Great Plains, easily manageable in about 3 hours. Primarily utilizing I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a commute. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, so plan for a consistent driving pace. This trip is ideal for those who prefer efficient travel between two points within the same state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

85.1 miles from Benton, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 98 mi 1h 41m
Kansas Turnpike 56 mi 56m
Southwest 20th Street 11.8 mi 12m
West 87th Street 1.5 mi 2m
Santa Fe Drive 1.1 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
Valley View Drive 0.1 mi <1m
Newton Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 98 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benton, KS and Overland Park, KS.

1

Start on Benton Street

177 ft · 13 sec · Benton Street
2

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
3

Turn right onto KS 254

12 mi · 12 min · Southwest 20th Street
4

Take the exit

267 ft · 7 sec
5

Merge onto Boyer Road

260 ft · 7 sec · Boyer Road
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
7

Turn straight

0.2 mi · 20 sec
8

Merge onto I 35

56 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

95 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 35
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 225 Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 225A Toward 87th Street Parkway Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn straight onto West 87th Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · West 87th Street
14

Continue on Santa Fe Drive

1.1 mi · 2 min · Santa Fe Drive
15

Turn right onto Newton Street

515 ft · 29 sec · Newton Street
16

Turn left onto Valley View Drive

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Valley View Drive
17

Turn left onto Overland Park Drive

267 ft · 15 sec · Overland Park Drive
18

Turn right onto West 81st Street

232 ft · 11 sec · West 81st Street
19

Turn right

134 ft · 9 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration and highway focus, this route is best tackled in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Benton to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Overland Park. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 100 miles, so be mindful of your fuel levels and plan a mid-drive stop if needed. Southwest 20th Street will be your entry into the final destination area, so keep an eye out for that transition. This is a drive where efficiency is key, so enjoy the smooth sailing on the interstate.

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 85.1 miles from Benton, KS, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 37 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.1 miles or 1h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 24m

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 Benton, 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 Benton, KS

This is one driving day of about 170.3 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Benton, 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 35 for about 98 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Osage City, KS

85 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

Eureka, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Osage City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.1 miles from Benton, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 167.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
12.5 mi into trip | ~15m in | Boyer Road

Merge onto Boyer Road

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
12.5 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
68.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
166.9 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Take the exit toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 225 Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
9
167.1 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 225A Toward 87th Street Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.62 one way

$53.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.23 $58.47
premium $4.89 $32.77 $65.55
diesel $5.61 $37.60 $75.20

Estimated Tolls: $2.80

Kansas Turnpike (56 mi) $2.80

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

$27

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.1 0 $17.88 $8.17
Efficient EV 42.6 0 $14.90 $6.81
EV Truck/SUV 68.1 0 $23.84 $10.90

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% 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

Benton, KS

Late night in Benton on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Overland Park, KS

Late night in Overland Park on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 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

18 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

3h 1m 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?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 90% of the 170.3 miles spent on major interstates like I-35. Expect a consistent, fast pace for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 98 miles on I-35, so settle in for a long run on this main artery. While the landscape is characteristic of the Great Plains, the road itself offers little deviation from the interstate, providing a predictable and efficient journey from start to finish.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Kansas Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.5 miles in near Boyer Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 170.3 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 12.5 miles (Boyer Road): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Overland Park, KS

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 170.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.80 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.

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 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. 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: at 12.5 miles (Boyer Road): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Overland Park, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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Explore more options from Benton, KS or browse trips ending in Overland Park, KS.

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