Traveling from Great Bend to Leawood covers 255.3 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes 4 hours and 38 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. You will primarily navigate via the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and KS 156. It is a straightforward trek that transitions from the heart of the plains toward the metropolitan edge of the state, making it a functional route for those looking to reach the Leawood area efficiently.
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
127.7 miles from Great Bend, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Exit 75BToward State Line RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto State Line Road
1.5 mi·3 min·State Line Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto West 95th Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·West 95th Street
19
Turn right onto Lee Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Lee Boulevard
20
Turn left onto West 90th Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·West 90th Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid the stress of arriving late in the day. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel before finishing the final leg of your journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, keeping a close eye on your GPS is essential to ensure you don't miss any transitions between the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and KS 156. The flexibility of this single-day drive allows you to pace yourself according to your comfort level. Prioritize checking your fuel levels before starting the 90.3-mile stretch on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway to ensure you maintain your $39 budget without needing to hunt for stations in remote areas.
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 127.7 miles from Great Bend, KS, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.7 miles or 2h 18m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leawood, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, KS
This is one driving day of about 255.3 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Great Bend, 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 90.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 252.3 — 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|US 281 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 281 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
192.1 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
6
206.9 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
7
243.8 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 435 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 435 East
7
252.3 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward State Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75B
Toward State Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.70 one way
$75.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.62
$83.24
premium
$4.72
$47.40
$94.80
diesel
$4.80
$48.21
$96.41
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)$0.70
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.81
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.34
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.74
$16.34
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Great Bend, KS
Late night
in Great Bend on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Leawood, KS
Late night
in Leawood on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph4% chanceLive 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
3 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 38m 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,...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 184.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between different road types. While highways make up 27% of your travel, the route is defined by its changing character rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 90.3 miles while cruising on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. This mix of fast highway segments and more technical local roads keeps the experience engaging throughout the 255.3-mile distance. Prepare for a varied driving environment that shifts as you move across the plains, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns and route changes.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.3 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 281 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 255.3 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: near the start (US 281 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 192.1 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,850 ft830 ft
Total Climb
580 ft
Total Descent
1,488 ft
Highest Point
1,850 ft
Elevation Range
1,021 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Great Bend, KS and Leawood, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Kansas City and Lawrence.
Salina
51.9 mi in|~1h 2m
Kansas City
192.1 mi in|~3h 25m|via I 70
Lawrence
206.9 mi in|~3h 40m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 255.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.3 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.70 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.
Yes — we found about 21 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 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 Leawood, 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 281 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 192.1 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Leawood, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
