Origin
Derby, KS
Morning in Derby on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derby, KS to Gypsum, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
98.6 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derby, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Gypsum, KS
Jimmy Nilsson Masth
Trip Overview
Derby to Gypsum is 98.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via I-135 and KS-4, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily through the Great Plains region of Kansas. Expect a highway-focused drive that’s efficient for getting from point A to point B. With a recommended 1-day duration, you can easily complete this journey without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick transit or a dedicated travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Derby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 135 | 78.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| KS 4 | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| South Southeast Boulevard | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| South Old Highway 81 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Assaria Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Baltimore Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 5th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Gypsum, 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
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
South Southeast Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 135 North, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina
6
Merge onto I 135; US 81; KS 15
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 135; US 81; KS 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 135; US 50; US 81
8
Continue on I 135; US 81
49 mi
·
49 min
·
I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto KS 4
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
KS 4
Toward KS 4, Assaria Road, Falun Road
10
Turn right onto KS 4
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Assaria Road
11
Turn left onto KS 4
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Old Highway 81
12
Turn right onto KS 4
10 mi
·
14 min
·
KS 4
13
Turn right onto West 5th Street
126 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 5th Street
14
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour 51 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Derby in the morning means you'll arrive in Gypsum with plenty of the day left for activities. With a fuel cost estimated around $15, it’s a budget-friendly trip, so consider filling up before you leave Derby to ensure you have ample range. The longest stretch on I-135 is quite substantial, so plan for a brief stop for gas or a stretch break before or during that segment if needed, especially since there are no designated stops mentioned.
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 49.3 miles from Derby, KS, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 56m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gypsum, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Derby, KS
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Derby, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 135 for about 78.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Derby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 135 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.3 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.2 — 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
4
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 135 North, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 135 North, US 81 North, KS 15 North: S...
5
7.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 135; US 81; KS 15
Merge onto I 135; US 81; KS 15
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
85.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
KS 4
Take the exit onto KS 4 toward KS 4, Assaria Road, Falun Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 4, Assaria Road, Falun Road
4
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
KS 4 / South Old Highway 81
Turn left onto KS 4 / South Old Highway 81
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.41 one way
$30.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.93 | $33.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.97 | $37.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.77 | $43.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Gypsum, KS
Morning in Gypsum on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Newton, KS
49 mi in
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
22 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
1h 51m 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 your journey on major roads like I-135 and KS-4. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch for 78.3 miles on I-135, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The profile suggests a straightforward driving experience, likely with limited turns and straightforward navigation for most of the 98.6 miles. While mostly highway, there are brief transitions onto other main roads as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.3 mi on I 135.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and KS 4. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Derby, KS to Gypsum, KS is easy. At 1h 51m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles (I 135; US 81; KS 15): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 98.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.3 miles on I 135. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles (I 135; US 81; KS 15): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gypsum, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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