Origin
Hesston, KS
Late night in Hesston on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hesston, KS to Lenexa, 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 17m
Distance
177 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hesston, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hesston to Lenexa is 177 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I-35 and I-135, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, keeping a consistent landscape throughout. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience for this relatively short trip. Given its duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day journey, allowing for a relaxed pace and minimal need for overnight planning.
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
88.5 miles from Hesston, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 96.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 50 | 69 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 135 | 8.7 mi | 8m |
| Randall | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Randall Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Lenexa Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hesston Road, Old US 81 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rosehill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 96.1 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hesston, KS and Lenexa, 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
30 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
20
Continue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
21
Merge onto I 35
95 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 35
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
26
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
28
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
29
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3 hours, this is a great same-day trip. You can leave Hesston any time in the morning and still arrive in Lenexa with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 96 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before setting out or plan your refueling around the single recommended stop. Consider leaving early to avoid any potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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 88.5 miles from Hesston, KS, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, 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 177 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 35 for about 96.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.5 miles from Hesston, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.1 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 176.5 — 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
176.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward 95th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
9
176.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.38 | $60.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.06 | $68.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.08 | $78.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.49 | $7.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.78 | $11.33 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Lenexa, KS
Late night in Lenexa on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
19 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 17m 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 trip is almost entirely highway, with a 98% highway share, making it a familiar and efficient drive. You'll spend most of your time on interstates like I-35 and I-135, which are designed for higher speeds and longer stretches. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 96.1 miles on I-35, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The profile is consistently highway-focused, meaning you won't find many significant changes in road type or speed.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 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
7/10
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 177 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.
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 Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Emporia, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Emporia
10.7 mi in
|
~13m
|
via US 50
Kansas City
79.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Wichita
79.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Topeka
79.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
About the Cities
Arriving in Lenexa, KS
Full guide →Lenexa is a city in Eastern Kansas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 177 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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 96.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Lenexa, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lenexa, 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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