Origin
Fort Scott, KS
Late night in Fort Scott on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Scott, KS to Soldier, 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
3h 27m
Distance
186.4 mi
300 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Scott, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Soldier, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Scott to Soldier is 186.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m via US 69 and KS 10, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Kansas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. It's a practical choice for getting between these two points without much fuss.
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
93.2 miles from Fort Scott, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 69 | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| KS 10 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| Addy Westgate Memorial Bridge | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14.3 mi | 14m |
| 230 Road | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 8.4 mi | 10m |
| E Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| I 435 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 69
— 78 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Scott, KS and Soldier, KS.
1
Start on West 2nd Street
280 ft
·
14 sec
·
West 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto South National Avenue
375 ft
·
14 sec
·
South National Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 3rd Street
4
Turn left onto US 69; K-7
30 mi
·
30 min
·
US 69; K-7
5
Continue on US 69; KS 52
48 mi
·
49 min
·
US 69; KS 52
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 435 West, US 50 West
Use the sharp right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
489 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 435 West, US 50 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 435; US 50
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 435; US 50
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 1B
Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on KS 10
37 mi
·
40 min
·
KS 10
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto I 70
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
14
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.
15
Continue on I 70
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 75 North: Holton
17
Continue on US 75
28 mi
·
30 min
·
Addy Westgate Memorial Bridge
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto KS 16
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 4th Street
19
Continue on KS 16
11 mi
·
13 min
·
230 Road
20
Turn right onto KS 62
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
E Road
21
Continue on KS 62
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
1st Street
22
Turn left onto KS 62
497 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 27m drive time, starting your trip in Fort Scott in the morning allows ample time to reach Soldier before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or a more substantial meal. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 78 miles on US 69, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the final leg on KS 10, ensuring a smooth arrival in Soldier.
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 93.2 miles from Fort Scott, KS, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 41 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 miles or 1h 39m 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 45m
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 Fort Scott, 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 Fort Scott, KS
This is one driving day of about 186.4 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Fort Scott, 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 US 69 for about 78 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.2 miles from Fort Scott, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 78.3 and 132.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 435 West, US 50 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward I 435 West, US 50 West
6
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
79.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 435 West, US 50 West
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 435 West, US 50 West
7
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
8
132.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.00 | $63.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.87 | $71.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.15 | $82.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Kansas Turnpike
(14.3 mi)
$0.72
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
$29
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 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 | 55.9 | 0 | $19.57 | $8.95 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Soldier, KS
Late night in Soldier on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
8 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 27m 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 70% of your travel on main roads like US 69 and KS 10. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 78 miles on US 69, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. While primarily highway, the inclusion of KS 10 and the Addy Westgate Memorial Bridge suggests a transition to slightly different road types as you near your destination. It’s a driving experience where you’ll spend most of your time on faster, more direct routes.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on US 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 69 and KS 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 186.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 78.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles: 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 Fort Scott, KS to Soldier, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Salina
132.7 mi in
|
~2h 21m
|
via I 70
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 186.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78 miles on US 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 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 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 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 78.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Soldier, 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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