Origin
Chanute, KS
Morning in Chanute on Saturday
Local time
11:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chanute, KS to Leavenworth, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
133.9 mi
216 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chanute, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Leavenworth, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chanute to Leavenworth is 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 42m via US 169, US 59, and I-35, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Kansas, making for a straightforward drive. With 72% of the route on highways, expect a good portion of cruising. This is a practical, one-day option if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two Kansas cities.
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
67 miles from Chanute, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 44.2 mi | 50m |
| US 59 | 31.9 mi | 35m |
| I 35 | 20.9 mi | 21m |
| K-7 | 19.1 mi | 27m |
| South Parker Street | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| South Lone Elm Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Spruce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 44.2 mi, about 50m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~965 veh/hr typical · worst 1,213
Quietest
1 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Chanute, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
1
Start on South Steuben Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Steuben Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
3
Turn right onto North Plummer Avenue
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Plummer Avenue
4
Turn left onto KS 39
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Cherry Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 169 North
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 169
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn straight onto US 169
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 169
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Enter roundabout onto US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
224 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
10
Continue on US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
11
Take the exit onto US 59
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
Toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
12
Continue on I 35; US 50
21 mi
·
21 min
·
I 35; US 50
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 214
Toward Lone Elm Road, 159th Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto South Lone Elm Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Lone Elm Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on South Parker Street
13 mi
·
16 min
·
South Parker Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on K-7
19 mi
·
27 min
·
K-7
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spruce Street
18
Turn right
277 ft
·
20 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 42 minute drive time, leaving in the morning from Chanute allows ample time to reach Leavenworth before evening. The $21 fuel estimate is based on the 133.9 miles, so check your fuel levels before departing to avoid needing a stop. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this trip offers flexibility in your timing. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads around Leavenworth to ensure you're on the right path into town.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Chanute, KS, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 miles or 1h 18m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chanute, 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 Chanute, KS
This is one driving day of about 133.9 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Chanute, 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 US 169 for about 44.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67 miles from Chanute, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 99 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 169 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 169 North
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 169
Merge onto US 169
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
68.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 59
Take the exit onto US 59 toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 North, US 59 North, US 50 East: Law...
8
99 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Lone Elm Road, 159th Street
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 214
Toward Lone Elm Road, 159th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.76 one way
$41.52 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $22.76 | $45.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.98 | $51.96 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $29.52 | $59.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Leavenworth, KS
Morning in Leavenworth on Saturday
Local time
11:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Reno, KS
67 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 42m 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?
You'll spend a significant amount of time on highways, with 72% of the 133.9 miles on them. Expect to cruise for a stretch of 44.2 miles on US 169 before transitioning to other highways and eventually surface roads. The highway driving means you'll likely notice a steady flow of traffic and fewer intersections compared to more rural segments. After the major highway portions, you'll transition to more local roads as you approach your destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.2 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and US 59. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,119 ft
792 ft
Total Climb
489 ft
Total Descent
604 ft
Highest Point
1,119 ft
~38.4 mi in
Elevation Range
327 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Chanute, KS to Leavenworth, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
68.4 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via US 59
About the Cities
Starting in Chanute, KS
Full guide →Founded 1873
Top landmarks
- • James and Ella Truitt House — historic house in Kansas, United States
Arriving in Leavenworth, KS
Full guide →Founded 1854
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas. Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Top landmarks
- • Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center — historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
- • Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth — building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
- • Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
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 2h 42m. Total distance: 133.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.2 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.2 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Leavenworth, KS before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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