Concordia, KS to Leavenworth, KS is 202.5 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and Kansas Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive through the heart of Kansas. With a high percentage of surface roads, expect a more relaxed pace compared to a pure interstate journey. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
101.2 miles from Concordia, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
51.4 mi
53m
Kansas Turnpike
40.4 mi
40m
18th Road
19.7 mi
22m
Deer Road
16.2 mi
18m
K-7
15.5 mi
23m
140th Road
9.8 mi
10m
Madison Road
9.1 mi
10m
US 24
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 51.4 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,289 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,574
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Concordia, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
Exit 224Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, LeavenworthUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft·13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: LansingUse the straight / left lanes.
30
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi·23 min·K-7
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
32
Turn right
277 ft·20 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 56m estimated drive time, departing Concordia, KS in the morning allows ample time to reach Leavenworth, KS before evening. The route includes one stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the surface roads, as gas stations might be less frequent than on the interstate. The total fuel cost is estimated at $36. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and how you pace your stops.
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 101.2 miles from Concordia, KS, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 miles or 2h 3m 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 10m
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 Concordia, 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 Concordia, KS
This is one driving day of about 202.5 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Concordia, 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 51.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 84 and 186.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
84 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|KS 177; KS 18
Take the exit onto KS 177; KS 18 toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
6
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
8
185.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
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 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
6
186.4 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|K-7
Turn left onto K-7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.90 one way
$59.81 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.01
$66.03
premium
$4.72
$37.60
$75.20
diesel
$4.80
$38.24
$76.47
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Kansas Turnpike
(40.4 mi)$2.02
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Lawrence, KS - Tesla Supercharger
Tonganoxie, KS
Tesla
12 DCFC
Topeka, KS - Tesla Supercharger
Topeka, KS
Tesla
8 DCFC
Topeka, KS - Topeka Service Area - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.26
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.35
$12.96
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Concordia, KS
Late night
in Concordia on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:57PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE
Destination
Leavenworth, KS
Late night
in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSW 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:57PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Hastings NE
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
1 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 56m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 139.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive covers 202.5 miles, with 28% of that on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 51.4 miles along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. You'll transition from highway cruising to navigating surface roads, likely noticing more frequent intersections and local traffic as you approach your destination. The profile is mostly surface roads, indicating a significant portion of the trip will involve driving through towns and rural areas.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.4 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84 miles in near KS 177; KS 18.
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 20 significant decision points across 202.5 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 84 miles (KS 177; KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,470 ft838 ft
Total Climb
583 ft
Total Descent
1,117 ft
Highest Point
1,470 ft
~12.2 mi in
Elevation Range
631 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concordia, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Junction I-70, Zeandale, Topeka and Kansas City.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 202.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.4 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.02 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.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Leavenworth, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 84 miles (KS 177; KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Leavenworth, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
