Spanning 324 miles across the heart of the Great Plains, your journey from Hill City to Overland Park typically takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes. This trek is manageable as a single-day trip, though you should budget roughly $49 for fuel to cover the distance. You will traverse the state using a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, and the Kansas Turnpike. Because the drive stays entirely within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent as you head east. It is a straightforward route that functions best when you have a full day to dedicate to the road, allowing you to reach your destination comfortably by evening.
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
162 miles from Hill City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
147.6 mi
2h 27m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi
1h 32m
Kansas Turnpike
51.8 mi
52m
South 4th Avenue
24.7 mi
36m
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Metcalf Avenue
3.9 mi
6m
West Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
US 40 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 147.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hill City, KS and Overland Park, KS.
Exit 418AToward I 635 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi·5 min·Harry Darby Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 69
1.6 mi·2 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Metcalf Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto West 80th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·West 80th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Marty Street
482 ft·22 sec·Marty Street
18
Turn right onto West 81st Street
182 ft·14 sec·West 81st Street
19
Turn left
134 ft·9 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to keeping this 5-hour and 45-minute drive stress-free. Since the trip includes one recommended stop, aim to pace yourself early to avoid fatigue during the longer highway segments. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, verify your route navigation before heading out to ensure you stay on track through the various highway connections. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 147.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services may be spaced further apart than on the later turnpike sections. Being prepared for these varying road types will help you maintain a steady, safe pace from Hill City all the way to Overland Park.
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 162 miles from Hill City, KS, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.6 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 71 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hill City, 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 Hill City, KS
This is one driving day of about 324 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Hill City, 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 147.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 262.4 and 324 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
262.4 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
315 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
321.4 mi into trip|~5h 39m in|Metcalf Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto Metcalf Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
323.7 mi into trip|~5h 44m in|West 80th Street
Turn right onto West 80th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
324 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.65 one way
$101.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.62
$111.23
premium
$4.89
$62.35
$124.70
diesel
$5.61
$71.54
$143.07
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
$51
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.2
1
$34.02
$15.55
Efficient EV
81
0
$28.35
$12.96
EV Truck/SUV
129.6
1
$45.36
$20.74
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Hill City, KS
Evening
in Hill City on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Overland Park, KS
Evening
in Overland Park on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:58AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 2:21AM CDT until April 19 at 4:38AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
80°F
Manhattan, KS
162 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
10 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
5h 45m 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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving conditions as you move from local stretches toward major transit corridors. While 16% of the journey consists of highway driving, the route is defined by its turn-heavy local segments that demand your full attention. You will encounter a significant 147.6-mile stretch along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provides the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. The road’s personality shifts from quieter, local paths to the more structured environment of the Kansas Turnpike. Navigating these transitions requires a balanced approach to your speed and focus, as the character of the road changes significantly between the open plains and the busier approach to Overland Park.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.6 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 262.4 miles in near I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
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 12 significant decision points across 324 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 262.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 315 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.4 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Hill City, KS to Overland Park, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
262.4 mi in|~4h 37m|via I 70
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 324 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.6 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 Overland Park, 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 262.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 315 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.4 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Overland Park, KS before the return drive.
