Crossing Kansas from Colby to Pittsburg covers 449.9 miles and requires about 8 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because of the duration and the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, you should definitely plan for a two-day trip rather than attempting it in one go. Budget approximately $68 for fuel to complete this journey across the Great Plains. While the trip stays entirely within Kansas, the transition from the western plains to the eastern side of the state offers a distinct shift in landscape. Breaking the drive into two days makes the journey much more manageable and allows you to pace yourself comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
224.9 miles from Colby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
196.3 mi
3h 16m
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
70.6 mi
1h 22m
I 135
70 mi
1h 10m
Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
61.1 mi
1h 10m
KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
18.9 mi
21m
KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
9.6 mi
11m
South Main Street
9.2 mi
11m
US 69
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 196.3 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colby, KS and Pittsburg, KS.
1
Start on West 3rd Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto KS 25
2.2 mi·4 min·North Range Avenue
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·30 sec
4
Merge onto I 70
196 mi·3 hr 16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
6
Merge onto I 135; US 81
63 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.2 mi·2 min·I 135; US 50; US 81
8
Continue on I 135; US 81
4.9 mi·4 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
10
Turn left onto KS 196
9.6 mi·11 min·KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
11
Continue on KS 196
19 mi·21 min·KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
12
Continue on KS 196
444 ft·14 sec·Northwest State Road 196
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
14
Merge onto KS 254
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 20th Street
15
Continue on KS 254
2.3 mi·4 min·West Central Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Denver Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Denver Street
17
Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Kansas Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 54; US 77
9.2 mi·11 min·South Main Street
19
Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street
0.3 mi·23 sec·Southeast 100th Street
20
Turn left onto US 400
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft·2 sec·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
22
Continue on US 400
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
5.4 mi·7 min·US 69; US 160
24
Turn right onto KS 126
1.0 mi·1 min·West 4th Street
25
Turn right onto US 69 Business
66 ft·2 sec·North Broadway Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 69 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 450-mile trek, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the long stretches of local road driving. Since the journey is mentally taxing due to the frequent turns, leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local stretches may have less frequent service options than the interstate portions. If you are splitting the trip over two days, aim to find a midpoint resting spot after the 196.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This pacing ensures you stay alert and enjoy the journey rather than just enduring the distance.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 224.9 miles from Colby, KS, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 99 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 224.9 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 224.9 miles or 3h 48m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburg, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colby, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colby, KS
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Pittsburg, KS
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Colby, KS.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 196.3 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 269.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|KS 25 / North Range Avenue
Turn left onto KS 25 / North Range Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
198.9 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
5
199.3 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|I 135; US 81
Merge onto I 135; US 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
269.3 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.34 one way
$140.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg157 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$77.23
$154.45
premium
$4.89
$86.58
$173.16
diesel
$5.61
$99.33
$198.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135
1
$47.24
$21.60
Efficient EV
112.5
1
$39.37
$18.00
EV Truck/SUV
180
2
$62.99
$28.79
Gas CO2
157 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Colby, KS
Evening
in Colby on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pittsburg, KS
Evening
in Pittsburg on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Newton, KS
225 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is far from a simple interstate grind. Only 23% of the trip is on highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads that demand your full attention. You will encounter your longest sustained segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which stretches for 196.3 miles. Outside of that major artery, the route relies on the Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway and I-135, creating a profile that feels more like a turn-heavy local drive. Prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed and steering as you transition between these different road types.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 25 / North Range Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 9m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 25 / North Range Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,158 ft834 ft
Total Climb
113 ft
Total Descent
2,327 ft
Highest Point
3,158 ft
Elevation Range
2,324 ft
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 Colby, KS to Pittsburg, KS, road signs begin pointing toward El Dorado along the way.
El Dorado
269.3 mi in|~4h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 225 miles on day one.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pittsburg, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 25 / North Range Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pittsburg, KS before the return drive.
