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Trip from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS

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

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

157.7 mi

254 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in Kansas, United States of America

De Soto, KS

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States

Salina, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 157.7-mile journey from De Soto, Kansas, to Salina, Kansas, is a manageable day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on local roads, including Ottawa Street, Lexington Avenue, and KS 10 West, with no highway driving to speak of. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24. Given its relatively short duration and local road profile, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Great Plains region, suitable for a single day of travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

78.9 miles from De Soto, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ottawa Street — —
Lexington Avenue — —
KS 10 West — —
Kansas Turnpike — —
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — —
Dwight D — —
KS 143 — —
North 9th Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Ottawa Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between De Soto, KS and Salina, KS.

1

Start on West 82nd Street

0.2 mi · 46 sec · West 82nd Street
2

At the end of the road, turn left onto Ottawa Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ottawa Street
3

Turn right onto Lexington Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lexington Avenue
4

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lexington Avenue

105 ft · 2 sec · Lexington Avenue
5

Exit the roundabout onto Lexington Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Lexington Avenue
6

Take the ramp right toward KS 10 West: Lawrence

0.3 mi · 42 sec · KS 10 West: Lawrence
7

Merge slight left

24 mi · 27 min
8

Take the exit right

0.5 mi · 1 min
9

Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

13 mi · 13 min · Kansas Turnpike
10

Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike

0.9 mi · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
11

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

92 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
12

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

22 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13

Take the exit slight right toward KS 143

0.2 mi · 33 sec · KS 143
14

Turn left onto North 9th Street

2.5 mi · 5 min · North 9th Street
15

Turn left onto West Iron Avenue

279 ft · 14 sec · West Iron Avenue
16

Turn right onto South 8th Street

92 ft · 4 sec · South 8th Street
17

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

With a total driving time of just over 2 hours, this 157.7-mile route from De Soto to Salina is best tackled as a single-day excursion. You can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time in Salina, and keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and stops are not a planned feature of this route. Since it's a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is set up before you leave De Soto to smoothly navigate the local roads.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 78.9 miles from De Soto, KS, or about 1h 10m into the drive.

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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.9 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salina, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving De Soto, 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 De Soto, KS

This is one driving day of about 157.7 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from De Soto, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Shawnee County, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shawnee County, KS

79 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

Overbrook, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shawnee County, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from De Soto, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Topeka, Kansas

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 45.1

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 45.1

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

Tequilas North Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.1

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17854785663

Visit website

Aunt Netters Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.8

Lecompton, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17855036004

Visit website

Yuki Restaurant of Japan

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 45.1

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 4:30–9:30 pm

+17852717878

Visit website

Cafe Quetzal

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.1

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 6:45 am–9 pm

+17853295527

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 56.3

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17852717526

Visit website

Perkins American Food Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 56.3

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17852730300

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 157.7

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 135.2

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 157.7

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.2

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Paxico Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Topeka Fleet Garage

0.2 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Plaza of the Flint Hills

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Topeka Service Plaza

0.8 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1 mi from route

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.65 one way

$49.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.07 $54.14
premium $4.89 $30.35 $60.70
diesel $5.61 $34.82 $69.64

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: 55.2 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 47.3 0 $16.56 $7.57
Efficient EV 39.4 0 $13.80 $6.31
EV Truck/SUV 63.1 0 $22.08 $10.09

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 15, 2026

Origin

De Soto, KS

Late night in De Soto on Sunday

Local time

4:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salina, KS

Late night in Salina on Sunday

Local time

4:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

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

26 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

2h 21m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

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 43.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 157.7-mile trip, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating city streets and county roads for the full 2 hours and 21 minutes. The route is characterized by frequent turns and changes in speed, rather than long stretches of uninterrupted driving. You won't encounter any particularly long stretches of highway, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience with constant adjustments.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Ottawa Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is easy. At 2h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 157.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — we found about 17 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.

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Soto, KS to Salina, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salina, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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