Origin
Derby, KS
Night in Derby on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derby, KS to Fairmount, 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 23m
Distance
194.3 mi
313 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derby, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Fairmount, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Derby to Fairmount is 194.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 23 minutes via the Kansas Turnpike and K-7, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes place within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey. With over 90% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This is a manageable one-day drive, making it a good option for a quick relocation or a visit without requiring an overnight stay.
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
97.1 miles from Derby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Turnpike | 178.3 mi | 2h 58m |
| K-7 | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| South Southeast Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Fairmount Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Baltimore Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 154th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Turnpike Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 178.3 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Fairmount, 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
96 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft
·
13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn left onto K-7
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
K-7
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto CR 5
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Fairmount Road
14
Turn right onto 154th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
154th Street
15
Turn left onto Wood Road
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wood Road
16
Arrive at destination
Wood Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 23 minute duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day, so aim for an early start to maximize your daylight. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, but with the longest stretch being 178.3 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long stretch on the Kansas Turnpike. The $30 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, so ensure you have enough gas before embarking on that extended highway segment.
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 97.1 miles from Derby, KS, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.3 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 97.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, 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 194.3 miles and 3h 23m.
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 178.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from Derby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 178.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 185.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
6
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
I 335 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 335 / Kansas Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
184.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
185.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
185.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
K-7
Turn left onto K-7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.38 one way
$60.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.35 | $66.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.39 | $74.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.90 | $85.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.92
Kansas Turnpike
(178.3 mi)
$8.92
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
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.33 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.20 | $12.44 |
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.
Destination
Fairmount, KS
Night in Fairmount on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
16 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 23m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey utilizing major roadways like the Kansas Turnpike and K-7. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest uninterrupted segment measuring 178.3 miles on the Kansas Turnpike. This means you'll spend the bulk of your time on faster, more direct routes, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. The profile suggests a steady pace with minimal deviations from high-speed travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.3 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and K-7. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fairmount, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Leavenworth along the way.
Leavenworth
184.4 mi in
|
~3h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 194.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.3 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.92 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 Fairmount, 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: at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles (I 335 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairmount, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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