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Trip from Derby, KS to Atchison, KS

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

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

195.2 mi

314 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m

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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city in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands region of England

Derby, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Atchison, KS, KS

Atchison, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

Spanning 195.2 miles across the heart of the Great Plains, this journey from Derby to Atchison is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 29 minutes. Because the route is compact, it is perfect for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing the Kansas Turnpike, Northeast Sherman Road, and US 59, you can maintain a steady pace throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable connection between these two Kansas locations. It is a highly efficient way to navigate the state, keeping your planning simple and your travel time predictable.

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

97.6 miles from Derby, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kansas Turnpike 136.8 mi 2h 16m
Northeast Sherman Road 29.4 mi 33m
US 59 14.7 mi 16m
South Southeast Boulevard 5.1 mi 7m
Oakland Expressway 3.9 mi 4m
Main Street 1 mi 1m
KS 4 0.8 mi 1m
Woodlawn Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 136.8 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Atchison, KS.

1

Start on this road

121 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto East Main Street

271 ft · 13 sec · East Main Street
3

Turn right onto KS 15

0.4 mi · 39 sec · North Baltimore Avenue
4

Continue on KS 15

5.1 mi · 7 min · South Southeast Boulevard
5

Turn right onto Turnpike Drive

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Turnpike Drive
6

Take the ramp

524 ft · 12 sec
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kansas Turnpike Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 35

82 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Kansas Turnpike
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 335

55 mi · 54 min · Kansas Turnpike
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 48 sec
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West, KS 4 West: Topeka, Valley Falls
11

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 40 sec · this road
12

Keep slight left at fork

459 ft · 11 sec
13

Merge onto US 40; KS 4

3.9 mi · 4 min · Oakland Expressway
14

Take the exit onto KS 4

0.6 mi · 51 sec · KS 4
15

Take the exit onto KS 4

0.3 mi · 40 sec · KS 4
16

Turn left onto KS 4

29 mi · 33 min · Northeast Sherman Road
17

Continue on US 59

15 mi · 16 min · US 59
18

Turn left onto US 73

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South 22nd Street
19

Turn right onto Woodlawn Avenue

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Woodlawn Avenue
20

Keep slight right at fork

472 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn slight right onto Main Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
22

Turn left onto South 10th Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · South 10th Street
23

Turn right onto Kansas Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Kansas Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3h 29m journey, aim to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic on the Turnpike. Since the route includes only one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your schedule based on your personal needs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before starting your 136.8-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike, as service areas are spaced out along that segment. Because the entire trip is achievable in one day, use that extra time to plan your arrival in Atchison rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics. Prioritize checking road conditions on the Kansas Turnpike before you leave Derby to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride.

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 97.6 miles from Derby, KS, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 43 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 97.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 47m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Derby, 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 Derby, KS

This is one driving day of about 195.2 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Derby, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 136.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Osage City, KS

98 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

Peabody, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Osage City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.6 miles from Derby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.8 miles.

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

Paolucci Restaurant, Deli & Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atchison, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 195.2

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19133676105

Visit website

Mr. G's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atchison, Kansas

1.2 mi

Paolucci Restaurant, Deli & Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 195.2

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19133676105

Visit website

Mr. G's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 195.2

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+19134264674

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 139.4

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

Yuki Restaurant of Japan

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 139.4

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 4:30–9:30 pm

+17852717878

Visit website

Oriental Express

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.4

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17852712308

Visit website

Blue Moose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.4

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17852726800

Visit website

Cafe Quetzal

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 139.4

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 6:45 am–9 pm

+17853295527

Visit website

Cedar Ridge Catering & Banquet Hall

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 195.2

Atchison, Kansas

Hours: Closed

+19133674357

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 27.9

El Dorado, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.9

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 55.8

Matfield Green, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 13.9

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 13.9

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 194.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street

Turn right onto East Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
5.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

9
5.9 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kansas Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kans...
5
142.9 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Take the exit toward I-70 West, US 40 West, KS 4 West: Topeka, Valley Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 West, US 40 West, KS 4 West: Topeka...
5
194.9 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | Kansas Avenue

Turn right onto Kansas Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.52 one way

$61.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.51 $67.01
premium $4.89 $37.56 $75.13
diesel $5.61 $43.10 $86.20

Estimated Tolls: $6.85

Kansas Turnpike (136.8 mi) $6.85

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

$31

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.6 0 $20.50 $9.37
Efficient EV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81
EV Truck/SUV 78.1 0 $27.33 $12.49

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Derby, KS

Late night in Derby on Sunday

Local time

2:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Atchison, KS

Late night in Atchison on Sunday

Local time

2:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

18 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 80% of your time spent on high-speed corridors. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm early on, as the route features a 136.8-mile stretch along the Kansas Turnpike. Expect a transition from the open, expansive feel of the turnpike to the more localized character of Northeast Sherman Road and US 59 as you approach Atchison. While the drive is efficient, the shift in road types requires you to stay alert as you exit the main thoroughfares. Overall, it serves as a functional, fast-paced passage that favors speed and directness over technical maneuvering.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.8 mi on Kansas Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and Northeast Sherman Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.

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 18 significant decision points across 195.2 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,511 ft 813 ft

Total Climb

426 ft

Total Descent

906 ft

Highest Point

1,511 ft

~56.9 mi in

Elevation Range

697 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 Derby, KS to Atchison, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Valley Falls along the way.

Valley Falls

142.9 mi in | ~2h 26m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 195.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 136.8 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.85 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.

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 Atchison, 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Atchison, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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