Hays to Mission is 267.6 miles and takes about 4h 37m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kansas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. With a relatively short drive time and most of it on major highways, this route is a straightforward option for getting across the state. You'll find it's a practical choice for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking to minimize travel time and maximize your time at your destination. Consider this a no-frills way to connect two points in the heartland.
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
133.8 miles from Hays, 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
116.5 mi
1h 56m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi
1h 32m
Kansas Turnpike
51.8 mi
52m
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Metcalf Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
North Vine Street
0.8 mi
1m
Johnson Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 116.5 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~934 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,240
Quietest
2 AM
~74 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Hays, KS and Mission, KS.
Exit 418AToward I 635 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi·5 min·Harry Darby Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 69
1.2 mi·1 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
178 ft·10 sec
Toward Johnson Drive
22
Continue on Metcalf Lane
423 ft·16 sec·Metcalf Lane
23
Turn left onto Johnson Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Johnson Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Lamar Avenue
0.4 mi·57 sec·Lamar Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto West 56th Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 56th Street
26
Arrive at destination
West 56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Hays is ideal, allowing you to reach Mission with plenty of daylight. The route has one recommended stop, so plan for a break about halfway through to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as gas stations might be less frequent on the surface road portions. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, sticking to the main roads like the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway will help keep you on schedule and within your estimated $42 fuel 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 133.8 miles from Hays, KS, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 59 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.8 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mission, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hays, 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 Hays, KS
This is one driving day of about 267.6 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Hays, 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 116.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 267.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|US 183 / North Vine Street
Enter roundabout onto US 183 / North Vine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
207.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
7
260.4 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 635 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 418A
Toward I 635 South
6
267.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|Lamar Avenue
Turn left onto Lamar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.49 one way
$82.98 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$45.49
$90.98
premium
$4.93
$51.92
$103.84
diesel
$5.60
$58.99
$117.98
Estimated Tolls: $2.59
Kansas Turnpike
(51.8 mi)$2.59
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.3
0
$28.10
$12.84
Efficient EV
66.9
0
$23.42
$10.70
EV Truck/SUV
107
1
$37.46
$17.13
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Aug 26, 2026
Origin
Hays, KS
Late night
in Hays on Wednesday
Local time
12:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 3 to 7 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mission, KS
Late night
in Mission on Wednesday
Local time
12:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
91°F
Dwight, KS
134 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
6 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 19% of your time on highways, covering a longest stretch of 116.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The majority of your drive, however, will be on surface roads. Expect to transition from highway cruising to navigating through towns and rural areas as you make your way east. The shift from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as exit density decreases and speed limits change.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 around 0.1 miles in near 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 13 significant decision points across 267.6 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 183 / North Vine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 207.9 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,025 ft842 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
1,349 ft
Highest Point
2,025 ft
Elevation Range
1,183 ft
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 Hays, KS to Mission, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Hays is a town of 21,000 people (2021) in the Western region of Kansas. The largest city in northwestern Kansas, and the economic and cultural center of the region. It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University.
Top landmarks
•St. Joseph's Church and Parochial School — church building in Kansas, United States of America
•Justus Bissing Jr. Historic District — historic district in Kansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 267.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.59 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 Mission, 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 183 / North Vine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 207.9 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Mission, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
