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Trip from Hesston, KS to Kansas City, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

193 mi

311 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States

Hesston, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 193-mile journey from Hesston, Kansas, to Kansas City, Kansas, is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 33 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Kansas Turnpike and US 50, you'll spend 98% of your time on highways, making it an efficient trip. With a fuel cost estimated around $30, this route is budget-friendly and well-suited for a single-day excursion. The drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent, open-road experience. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated trip between these two Kansas locales.

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

96.5 miles from Hesston, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kansas Turnpike 110.4 mi 1h 51m
US 50 69 mi 1h 21m
I 135 8.7 mi 8m
South 7th Street Trafficway 1.5 mi 3m
Randall 0.5 mi 1m
East Randall Street 0.4 mi 1m
I 70 0.3 mi <1m
US 69 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 110.4 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hesston, KS and Kansas City, KS.

1

Start on Hesston Road, Old US 81

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Hesston Road, Old US 81
2

Turn slight left onto East Randall Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · East Randall Street
3

Turn right onto RS 804

21 ft · 5 sec · South Ridge Road
4

Turn left onto East Randall Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East Randall Street
5

Continue on Randall

0.5 mi · 1 min · Randall
6

At end of road, turn right onto East Lincoln Boulevard

463 ft · 11 sec · East Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward Wichita Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 135; US 81

7.8 mi · 7 min · I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81

0.4 mi · 24 sec · I 135; US 50; US 81
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward First Street, Broadway Street Use the slight right lane.
11

Enter roundabout

412 ft · 8 sec
12

Continue

0.3 mi · 33 sec
13

Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 135; US 50; US 81
14

Take the exit onto US 50

26 mi · 31 min · US 50
Exit 33 Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
15

Enter roundabout onto US 50

213 ft · 9 sec · US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
16

Continue on US 50

43 mi · 50 min · US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
17

Enter roundabout

364 ft · 4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
18

Continue

0.2 mi · 10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
19

Enter roundabout

440 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
20

Continue

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
21

Merge onto I 35

0.1 mi · 10 sec · I 35
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City
23

Merge onto I 335

110 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 70; US 24; US 40; US 69
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
25

Take the exit onto US 69

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 69
Exit 422A Toward US 69 North, US 169 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Turn left onto US 69

1.5 mi · 3 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
Toward US 69 North Use the left lane.
27

Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue

282 ft · 17 sec · Armstrong Avenue
28

Turn left

149 ft · 10 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a duration of just over 3.5 hours, this trip from Hesston to Kansas City is easily managed as a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an early arrival. There's one recommended stop, but with a longest stretch of 110.4 miles, plan your breaks accordingly to stay refreshed. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to avoid any unnecessary stops. A practical tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you pass the 110-mile mark on the Kansas Turnpike, as services might be less frequent in that segment.

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 96.5 miles from Hesston, KS, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.4 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 42 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.5 miles or 1h 52m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hesston, 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 Hesston, KS

This is one driving day of about 193 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Hesston, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 110.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Osage City, KS

97 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

Peabody, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Osage City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.5 miles from Hesston, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.2 mi

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.8 mi

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–9:30 pm

+19132330463

Visit website

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 179.2

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19133280003

Visit website

Bob Evans

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 179.2

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+19132991278

Visit website

Whataburger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 179.2

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19138715874

Visit website

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168943988

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 193

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 193

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 191.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | East Lincoln Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto East Lincoln Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward Wichita

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward Wichita
7
9.6 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward First Street, Broadway Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward First Street, Broadway Street
7
80 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Enter roundabout toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
9
191.2 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | US 69

Take the exit onto US 69 toward US 69 North, US 169 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 422A Toward US 69 North, US 169 South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.17 one way

$60.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.13 $66.26
premium $4.89 $37.14 $74.28
diesel $5.61 $42.61 $85.22

Estimated Tolls: $5.52

Kansas Turnpike (110.4 mi) $5.52

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

$30

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 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 57.9 0 $20.26 $9.26
Efficient EV 48.3 0 $16.89 $7.72
EV Truck/SUV 77.2 0 $27.02 $12.35

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hesston, KS

Morning in Hesston on Sunday

Local time

6:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, KS

Morning in Kansas City on Sunday

Local time

6:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

20 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

3h 33m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

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,...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 133.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 193-mile trip, with 98% of the route taking place on major roadways like the Kansas Turnpike and I-135. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 110.4 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, providing a substantial period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a smooth, open-road experience with minimal distractions. Given the high highway share, the drive is likely to be efficient and predictable, allowing you to cover ground quickly.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.4 mi on Kansas Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near East Lincoln Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 193 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 1 miles (East Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Hesston, KS and Kansas City, KS, road signs point toward Emporia, Wichita and Topeka.

Emporia

10.7 mi in | ~13m | via US 50

Wichita

79.7 mi in | ~1h 35m

Topeka

79.7 mi in | ~1h 35m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 193 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 110.4 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.52 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 Kansas City, 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 1 miles (East Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Kansas City, 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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