Origin
Fairmount, KS
Evening in Fairmount on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmount, KS to Hays, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
259.4 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmount, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Hays, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fairmount, KS to Hays, KS is 259.4 miles and takes about 4h 29m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains, offering a consistent landscape throughout your journey. Expect a local drive feel with a number of turns, so pay attention to navigation. Given the relatively short duration and single recommended stop, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure. It's a straightforward drive across Kansas, perfect if you're looking for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.7 miles from Fairmount, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 115.5 mi | 1h 55m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 91.6 mi | 1h 34m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 41.1 mi | 41m |
| North 139th Street | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Fairmount Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Vine Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 154th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 115.5 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmount, KS and Hays, KS.
1
Start on Wood Road
100 ft
·
6 sec
·
Wood Road
2
Turn right onto 154th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
154th Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 5
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Fairmount Road
4
Turn right onto US 73; K-7
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
North 139th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
40 mi
·
40 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 70
92 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
115 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
11
Merge onto US 183
260 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Vine Street
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 183
342 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Vine Street
13
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Vine Street
14
Continue on US 183
323 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Vine Street
15
Enter roundabout onto US 183
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Vine Street
16
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Vine Street
17
Enter roundabout onto US 183
341 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Vine Street
18
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Vine Street
19
Turn right onto East 27th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 27th Street
20
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
22
Turn right
292 ft
·
21 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip at just under 4.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the drive and handle any turns. Plan for one stop, as suggested, to break up the journey and refuel both yourself and your vehicle. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially as you transition between the main roads like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, to ensure you don't miss any crucial turns. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so factor that into your budget.
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 129.7 miles from Fairmount, KS, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.5 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 57 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hays, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairmount, 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 Fairmount, KS
This is one driving day of about 259.4 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Fairmount, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 115.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.7 miles from Fairmount, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.5 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 257.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 73; K-7 / North 139th Street
Turn right onto US 73; K-7 / North 139th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
8.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I 70 West: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
8
49.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
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-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
7
257.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
|
US 183 / North Vine Street
Merge onto US 183 / North Vine Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
257.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
US 183 / North Vine Street
Enter roundabout onto US 183 / North Vine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.55 one way
$81.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.53 | $89.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.92 | $99.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.27 | $114.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.06
Kansas Turnpike
(41.1 mi)
$2.06
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
$41
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.24 | $12.45 |
| Efficient EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.70 | $10.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.8 | 1 | $36.32 | $16.60 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Hays, KS
Evening in Hays on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Manhattan, KS
130 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
27 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
4h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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,...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 53.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll likely encounter more intersections and directional changes than a pure interstate cruise. While 16% of the route utilizes highway driving, the majority will feel more like navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 115.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for a drive that requires constant engagement with your directions rather than simply setting cruise control for hours.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near US 73; K-7 / North 139th Street.
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 259.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.2 miles (US 73; K-7 / North 139th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fairmount, KS to Hays, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
49.2 mi in
|
~53m
|
via I 70
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 259.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.06 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 Hays, 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 2.2 miles (US 73; K-7 / North 139th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hays, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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