Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Elkhart, KS to Soldier, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 5m
Distance
406.8 mi
655 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$68
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 57m
★
6 AM
8h 6m
8 AM
8h 22m
10 AM
8h 11m
12 PM
8h 10m
3 PM
8h 12m
5 PM
8h 21m
8 PM
8h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elkhart, KS
Tien Nguyen
Soldier, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Elkhart, KS to Soldier, KS is 406.8 miles and takes about 8h 5m via US 56 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. With a recommended two-day drive, you'll have ample time to break up the 406.8 miles. It's a straightforward route for those who appreciate open vistas and reliable highway cruising.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.4 miles from Elkhart, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Main Street | 84.7 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 56 | 65.5 mi | 1h 18m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 49.4 mi | 49m |
| KS 156 | 47.9 mi | 55m |
| KS 16 | 33.9 mi | 42m |
| US 50 | 31.3 mi | 36m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 27.7 mi | 27m |
| East 14th Street | 19.3 mi | 23m |
Longest stretch:
North Main Street
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~737 veh/hr typical · worst 953
Quietest
1 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkhart, KS and Soldier, KS.
1
Start on Rankin Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rankin Road
2
Turn right onto North Street
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Street
3
Turn left onto US 56
32 mi
·
38 min
·
US 56
4
Turn left onto US 56; KS 25
85 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on US 56; US 400
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 56; US 400
6
Continue on US 56; US 283; US 400
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
US 56; US 283; US 400
7
Keep straight at fork
316 ft
·
4 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 283; US 400
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 56; US 283; US 400
9
Turn right onto US 56; US 283
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 56; US 283
10
Turn right onto US 50; US 56; US 283
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 50; US 56; US 283
11
Turn left onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Niles Avenue
12
Turn right onto US 56; US 183
25 mi
·
30 min
·
US 56; US 183
13
Turn right onto US 56; KS 156
19 mi
·
23 min
·
East 14th Street
14
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Railroad Avenue
15
At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
Washington Street
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Railroad Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 281
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 56; KS 96; KS 156
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
10th Street
19
Turn left onto KS 156
48 mi
·
55 min
·
KS 156
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I-70 East, Salina
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
28 mi
·
27 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto KS 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
KS 18
Toward KS 18 East: Manhattan
24
Turn left onto KS 18
11 mi
·
12 min
·
KS 18
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward KS 113
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on K-113
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
South Seth Child Road
28
Enter roundabout onto US 24
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
29
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
30
Enter roundabout onto K-13
321 ft
·
3 sec
·
Highway 13
31
Continue on K-13
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 13
32
Continue on KS 16
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
KS 16
33
Continue on KS 16; KS 99
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
KS 16; KS 99
34
Turn right onto KS 16
19 mi
·
25 min
·
KS 16
35
Turn right onto KS 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 63
36
Turn left onto KS 16
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
KS 16
37
Turn left onto KS 62
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
E Road
38
Continue on KS 62
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
1st Street
39
Turn left onto KS 62
497 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jackson Street
40
Arrive at destination
Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 5m estimated drive time, splitting this into two days is a sensible approach. Aim to depart early to maximize your daylight hours for the first leg. With two recommended stops, plan your breaks to coincide with services or simply to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches between towns, as services can be spaced out. The recommended two-day pace allows for a relaxed drive, so don't feel rushed to cover too much ground on day one.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.4 miles from Elkhart, KS, or about 4h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 89 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.4 miles or 4h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 203.4 miles or 4h 7m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Soldier, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elkhart, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elkhart, KS
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Soldier, KS
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Elkhart, KS.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on North Main Street for about 84.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
203 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Lyons, KSOvernight Options
Night 1
203 mi · about 4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Lyons, KS after about 203 miles or 4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 203.4 miles from Elkhart, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Main Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 203 miles or 4 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 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
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 118.8 and 351.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
118.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Keep straight at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
204 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
Washington Street
At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
256.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Salina
7
345.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
351.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 53m in
|
US 24 / Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto US 24 / Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.63 one way
$135.27 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $73.67 | $147.34 |
| premium | $5.18 | $83.01 | $166.02 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $85.68 | $171.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122 | 1 | $42.71 | $19.53 |
| Efficient EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.60 | $16.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.7 | 2 | $56.95 | $26.04 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Elkhart, KS
Afternoon in Elkhart on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
SE 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Soldier, KS
Afternoon in Soldier on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
88°F
Lyons, KS
203 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
8h 5m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 51% of the route on faster roads. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving at 84.7 miles on North Main Street. Expect to transition from highway speeds to more rural cruising as you make your way through Kansas. The profile suggests a generally smooth ride with varied speed limits.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.7 mi on North Main Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 28 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 118.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 406.8 miles you will encounter 28 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 118.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,589 ft
1,152 ft
Total Climb
374 ft
Total Descent
2,742 ft
Highest Point
3,589 ft
Elevation Range
2,438 ft
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 Elkhart, KS to Soldier, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
256.7 mi in
|
~5h 13m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Scraps Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Larned
Rosa's Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Daylight Donuts
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Elkhart, KS
Cuisine: donut
Subway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Cuisine: sandwich
Brianna's Kitchen
Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hunt Brothers Pizza
Fast_food
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Atlas Launch Facility 550-3 (historic)
Military
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Stauth Memorial Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Visit website
Pretty Horses
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Visit website
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Elkhart, KS
Full guide →Founded 1913
Arriving in Soldier, KS
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on North Main Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 203 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Soldier, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Soldier, KS before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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