Chanute, KS to Soldier, KS is 158.1 miles and takes about 3h 12m via US 75 and KS 39, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip primarily through the Great Plains region of Kansas. Expect a straightforward drive focused on highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route. The relatively short duration means you can depart later in the morning or make good time and have the afternoon free upon arrival.
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
79 miles from Chanute, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 75
126.6 mi
2h 28m
230 Road
10.9 mi
13m
KS 39
7.2 mi
8m
E Road
4.8 mi
8m
West Cherry Street
3.8 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.4 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Southwest Wanamaker Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 75
— 126.6 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chanute, KS and Soldier, KS.
Toward US 75 North: HoltonUse the slight left lane.
18
Turn left onto KS 16
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 4th Street
19
Continue on KS 16
11 mi·13 min·230 Road
20
Turn right onto KS 62
4.8 mi·8 min·E Road
21
Continue on KS 62
0.2 mi·20 sec·1st Street
22
Turn left onto KS 62
497 ft·9 sec·Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 3h 12m journey, leaving Chanute, KS anytime after breakfast should get you to Soldier, KS with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant change in major roads is over 126 miles. It's wise to fill up before departing Chanute or at the last major town before hitting that long stretch on US 75 to stay within your estimated $25 fuel cost.
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 79 miles from Chanute, KS, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.6 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79 miles or 1h 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 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Soldier, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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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 158.1 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 75 for about 126.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 113.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|KS 39 / West Cherry Street
Turn left onto KS 39 / West Cherry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
12.4 mi into trip|~16m in|US 75; KS 39
At end of road, turn right onto US 75; KS 39
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
5
110.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward Wanamaker Road, Huntoon Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wanamaker Road, Huntoon Street
5
111.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 75
Keep slight left at fork onto US 75 toward US 75 North: Holton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: Holton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.72 one way
$49.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.14
$54.28
premium
$4.89
$30.42
$60.85
diesel
$5.61
$34.91
$69.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.83
$6.32
EV Truck/SUV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Chanute, KS
Morning
in Chanute on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Soldier, KS
Morning
in Soldier on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Carbondale, KS
79 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
12 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 12m 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 route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 85% of the drive taking place on main roads like US 75 and KS 39. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 126.6 miles on US 75, so settle in for a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, the journey offers a smooth transition between these main arteries. The drive offers a predictable and efficient experience, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward progress across the Kansas landscape.
85% 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: 126.6 mi on US 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 75 and 230 Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near KS 39 / West Cherry Street.
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 158.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.4 miles (KS 39 / West Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (US 75; KS 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 110.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Soldier, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Holton along the way.
Holton
113.4 mi in|~2h 17m|via US 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 158.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.6 miles on US 75. 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 Soldier, 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 1.4 miles (KS 39 / West Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (US 75; KS 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 110.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Soldier, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
