Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Conway Springs, KS to Shawnee, KS

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 6m

Distance

219.8 mi

354 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 53m ★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Conway Springs, KS, KS

Conway Springs, KS

Tom Fisk

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 219.8-mile drive from Conway Springs, Kansas, to Shawnee, Kansas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes. You'll spend about 90% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward, highway-focused journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $34, which is quite manageable. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for a flexible departure time without the need for an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entire trip, so expect consistent, open landscapes.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

109.9 miles from Conway Springs, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 101.7 mi 1h 45m
Kansas Turnpike 87.4 mi 1h 27m
West 71st Street South 10.1 mi 13m
State Highway 42 7 mi 12m
North Conway Springs Road 5.5 mi 9m
West Grand Avenue 2 mi 4m
Nieman Road 1.7 mi 3m
Shawnee Mission Parkway 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 101.7 mi, about 1h 45m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Conway Springs, KS and Shawnee, KS.

1

Start on Spring Avenue

322 ft · 19 sec · Spring Avenue
2

Turn left onto KS-49

0.4 mi · 37 sec · North 5th Street
3

Continue on KS 49

5.5 mi · 9 min · North Conway Springs Road
4

Continue on KS 49

0.3 mi · 28 sec · South 263rd Street West
5

Continue on KS 49

0.7 mi · 1 min · Grice Street
6

Turn right onto KS 42

7.0 mi · 12 min · State Highway 42
7

Turn right onto West 71st Street South

10 mi · 13 min · West 71st Street South
8

Continue on West Grand Avenue

2.0 mi · 4 min · West Grand Avenue
9

Continue on East 71st Street South

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East 71st Street South
10

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
11

At end of road, turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
12

Merge onto I 35

87 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Kansas Turnpike
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

95 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 35
Use the straight lane.
14

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 Moines Use the straight lane.
15

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.
16

Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228B Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

106 ft · 4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee Use the left lane.
18

Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169

1.2 mi · 2 min · Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19

Turn right onto Nieman Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
20

Turn left onto West 49th Terrace

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 49th Terrace
21

Turn right onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Bond Street
22

Arrive at destination

Bond Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 6-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Shawnee and still have a good portion of your day ahead. With only one suggested stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, plan for a single refueling or rest break around the halfway point to stay refreshed. The $34 fuel cost is a reasonable budget to keep in mind. A practical tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 100-mile mark on I-35, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.

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 109.9 miles from Conway Springs, KS, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 48 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 109.9 miles or 2h 8m 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 20m

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 Conway Springs, 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 Conway Springs, KS

This is one driving day of about 219.8 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Conway Springs, 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 101.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Emporia, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Emporia, KS

110 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

Prairie Village, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Emporia, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.9 miles from Conway Springs, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shawnee, Kansas

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

The Restaurant KC

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19134997456

Visit website

Fronteras Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19139621369

Visit website

Jose Pepper's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19136311011

Visit website

Holy Land Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19133109911

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Matfield Green Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Towanda Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.3 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 114.5 and 217.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
114.5 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
213.6 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169

Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
216.2 mi into trip | ~3h 58m 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
216.4 mi into trip | ~3h 59m 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
217.6 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in | Nieman Road

Turn right onto Nieman Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.46 one way

$64.92 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.14 $35.83 $71.67
premium $4.72 $40.81 $81.62
diesel $4.80 $41.50 $83.00

Estimated Tolls: $4.37

Kansas Turnpike (87.4 mi) $4.37

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

$32

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.9 0 $23.08 $10.55
Efficient EV 55 0 $19.23 $8.79
EV Truck/SUV 87.9 1 $30.77 $14.07

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Conway Springs, KS

Night in Conway Springs on Saturday

Local time

10:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

S 7 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Night in Shawnee on Saturday

Local time

10:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 7 mph 28% chance Live 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 90% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads like I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.7 miles on I-35, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the route does incorporate some local road segments, such as West 71st Street South, which might offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the faster thoroughfares. Overall, this drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness, prioritizing mileage over varied terrain.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.7 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Kansas Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.5 miles in near I 35.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 219.8 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 114.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.6 miles (I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.2 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

1,542 ft 942 ft

Total Climb

446 ft

Total Descent

756 ft

Highest Point

1,542 ft

~94.2 mi in

Elevation Range

600 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Conway Springs, KS

Full guide →

Arriving in Shawnee, KS

Full guide →

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 4h 6m. Total distance: 219.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.37 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 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 114.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.6 miles (I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.2 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Shawnee, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Shawnee, KS

Ulysses, KS 410.6 mi · 8h Colby, KS 369.8 mi · 6h 22m Quinter, KS 315.2 mi · 5h 27m Hays, KS 264.2 mi · 4h 37m

More trips to Shawnee, KS

Meade, KS 360.6 mi Fort Dodge, KS 330.9 mi Medicine Lodge, KS 286.8 mi Anthony, KS 262 mi Hoisington, KS 244 mi Saint Marys, KS 208.3 mi
Scenic drives in KS

Explore more options from Conway Springs, KS or browse trips ending in Shawnee, KS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.