Connecting Derby to Kansas City covers 200.8 miles of Great Plains landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. Because this route is efficient and highway-focused, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this path involves utilizing the Kansas Turnpike alongside South Southeast Boulevard and the South 7th Street Trafficway. It is a straightforward transit between these two Kansas hubs, perfect for travelers who prioritize speed and reliability over wandering backroads.
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
100.4 miles from Derby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
192.7 mi
3h 14m
South Southeast Boulevard
5.1 mi
7m
South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi
3m
North Baltimore Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
I 70
0.3 mi
<1m
Turnpike Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
US 69
0.2 mi
<1m
Armstrong Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 192.7 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Kansas City, 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 TurnpikeUse 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
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
0.3 mi·24 sec·I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
11
Take the exit onto US 69
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 69
Exit 422AToward US 69 North, US 169 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 69
1.5 mi·3 min·South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 NorthUse the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft·17 sec·Armstrong Avenue
14
Turn left
149 ft·10 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop during the 200.8-mile journey to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, consistent stretches of the Kansas Turnpike can become monotonous. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the turnpike to ensure you don't need to exit prematurely for supplies. Because you are primarily sticking to major corridors, you can maintain a reliable pace throughout the entire 3-hour and 29-minute duration. Use the South 7th Street Trafficway as your final approach to ensure a smooth arrival into the Kansas City area.
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 100.4 miles from Derby, KS, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.7 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 44 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.4 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, 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 200.8 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 192.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 199.1 — 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
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.
6
198.8 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69...
9
199.1 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|US 69
Take the exit onto US 69 toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 422A
Toward US 69 North, US 169 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.39 one way
$62.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.47
$68.94
premium
$4.89
$38.64
$77.28
diesel
$5.61
$44.33
$88.67
Estimated Tolls: $9.64
Kansas Turnpike
(192.7 mi)$9.64
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
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.57
$8.03
EV Truck/SUV
80.3
1
$28.11
$12.85
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Derby, KS
Late night
in Derby on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kansas City, KS
Late night
in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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,...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 138.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by its high-speed efficiency, with 96% of the travel taking place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Kansas Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 192.7-mile uninterrupted stretch. The experience behind the wheel is consistent and predictable, offering a smooth flow as you transition from local surface streets onto the open interstate. Expect a steady, highway-focused pace that carries you across the heart of the region. It is a no-nonsense drive that allows you to cover substantial ground quickly while maintaining a steady rhythm.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.7 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and South Southeast Boulevard. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 200.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,509 ft863 ft
Total Climb
388 ft
Total Descent
868 ft
Highest Point
1,509 ft
~58.6 mi in
Elevation Range
646 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 200.8 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.7 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.64 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 Kansas City, 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 5.9 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.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Kansas City, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
