Buhler, KS to Shawnee, KS is 205.1 miles and takes about 3h 55m via I 35 and US 50, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, traversing the heartland of Kansas. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. Given the relatively short duration and single-day recommendation, this route is ideal for a quick transition between two points in the 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
102.5 miles from Buhler, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
100.8 mi
1h 44m
Limestone Road
35.9 mi
41m
US 50
24.7 mi
29m
KS 150
16.7 mi
19m
KS 61
13.6 mi
14m
8th Avenue
3 mi
4m
North Buhler Road
2.7 mi
6m
I 135
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 100.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~751 veh/hr typical
· worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buhler, KS and Shawnee, KS.
1
Start on Old Mill Lane
148 ft·12 sec·Old Mill Lane
2
Turn left onto East 1st Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East 1st Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Buhler Road
2.7 mi·6 min·North Buhler Road
4
Continue on 8th Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·8th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Buckskin Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Buckskin Road
6
Turn right onto KS 61
14 mi·14 min·KS 61
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 135; US 81
1.7 mi·1 min·I 135; US 81
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 56, McPherson, Marion
10
Turn right onto US 56
0.2 mi·16 sec·East Kansas Avenue
11
Continue on US 56
36 mi·41 min·Limestone Road
12
Enter roundabout onto KS 150
186 ft·3 sec·KS 150
13
Continue on KS 150
17 mi·19 min·KS 150
14
Turn left onto US 50
25 mi·29 min·US 50
15
Enter roundabout
364 ft·4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
16
Continue
0.2 mi·10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
17
Enter roundabout
30 ft·0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
18
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
19
Merge onto I 35
95 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 35
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
3.6 mi·4 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
21
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
2.7 mi·3 min·I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228BToward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
106 ft·4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, ShawneeUse the left lane.
24
Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.2 mi·2 min·Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto Nieman Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi·1 min·West 49th Terrace
27
Turn right onto Bond Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Bond Street
28
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 55-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you near Shawnee. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $36, this route is easily manageable in a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 100.8 miles on I 35, so plan your breaks accordingly before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 200-mile mark, as services can become less frequent in certain rural stretches.
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 102.5 miles from Buhler, KS, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.8 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 45 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 12m
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 Buhler, 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 Buhler, KS
This is one driving day of about 205.1 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Buhler, 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 100.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.2 and 202.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
100.2 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
6
100.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Enter roundabout toward I 35 North: Kansas City
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
8
201.5 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|US 56; US 69; US 169
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission 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 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
201.7 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
6
202.9 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|Nieman Road
Turn right onto Nieman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.29 one way
$60.58 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.44
$66.88
premium
$4.72
$38.08
$76.16
diesel
$4.80
$38.73
$77.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.5
0
$21.54
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.95
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.71
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Buhler, KS
Night
in Buhler on Saturday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 6 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Night
in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
10:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 6 mph12% chanceLive 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
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 primarily on highways, with 78% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 100.8 miles on I 35, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to Limestone Road and US 50 marks the end of the most intensive highway portion, shifting to more varied road conditions. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and potential traffic as you approach the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.8 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Limestone Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 205.1 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 100.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 201.5 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,553 ft953 ft
Total Climb
247 ft
Total Descent
663 ft
Highest Point
1,553 ft
~29.3 mi in
Elevation Range
601 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buhler, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Mcpherson, Marion, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Mcpherson
22.5 mi in|~31m
Marion
22.5 mi in|~31m
Kansas City
100.2 mi in|~2h 2m
Wichita
100.2 mi in|~2h 2m
Topeka
100.2 mi in|~2h 2m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 205.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.8 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 201.5 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Shawnee, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
