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Trip from Hillsboro, KS to Shawnee, KS

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

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

160.3 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m

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 Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Hillsboro, KS to Shawnee, KS is 160.3 miles and takes about 2h 59m via I 35, US 50, and KS 150, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, keeping you on familiar, open terrain. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing interstate highways, making it a practical option for a quick transit between these Kansas locations. Expect a consistent journey with minimal surprises, perfect if you're looking for efficiency over extensive sightseeing.

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

80.2 miles from Hillsboro, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 100.8 mi 1h 44m
US 50 24.7 mi 29m
KS 150 16.7 mi 19m
200th Street 13.2 mi 15m
Nieman Road 1.7 mi 3m
Shawnee Mission Parkway 1.2 mi 2m
North Ash St 0.5 mi 1m
West 49th Terrace 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 100.8 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hillsboro, KS and Shawnee, KS.

1

Start on East A Street

475 ft · 22 sec · East A Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto South Ash Street

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Ash Street
3

Continue on North Ash St; Indigo Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Ash St; Indigo Road
4

Turn right onto US 56

13 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
5

Enter roundabout onto KS 150

186 ft · 3 sec · KS 150
6

Continue on KS 150

17 mi · 19 min · KS 150
7

Turn left onto US 50

25 mi · 29 min · US 50
8

Enter roundabout

364 ft · 4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
9

Continue

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

Enter roundabout

30 ft · 0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
11

Continue

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
12

Merge onto I 35

95 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 35
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines Use the straight lane.
14

Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228B Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

106 ft · 4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169

1.2 mi · 2 min · Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn right onto Nieman Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
19

Turn left onto West 49th Terrace

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 49th Terrace
20

Turn right onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Bond Street
21

Arrive at destination

Bond Street

Trip Plan

With a total drive time under three hours, this is easily a same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of daylight, though the route's highway nature makes it manageable even in the late afternoon. You'll have one designated stop opportunity, so plan to refuel and stretch your legs before you depart Hillsboro or mid-route to break up the longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 35 is over 100 miles, so aiming to depart with a full tank is advisable.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.2 miles from Hillsboro, KS, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.8 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 35 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.2 miles or 1h 31m 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 24m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, KS

This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Hillsboro, 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 100.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Centropolis, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centropolis, KS

80 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

Council Grove, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lyndon, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Hillsboro, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.8 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

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shawnee, Kansas

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.3

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.3

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

The Restaurant KC

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.3

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19134997456

Visit website

Fronteras Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.3

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19139621369

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19135993111

Visit website

Yafa Cafe Mediterranean Cuisines and Catering

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133874623

Visit website

Holy Land Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19133109911

Visit website

Jose Pepper's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.3

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19136311011

Visit website

New Cafe 40

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19132328520

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 156.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Ash Street

At end of road, turn right onto South Ash Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
55.5 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka

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

Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
6
55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Enter roundabout toward I 35 North: Kansas City

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
8
156.8 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | US 56; US 69; US 169

Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 228B Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
156.9 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.06 one way

$50.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.52 $55.03
premium $4.89 $30.85 $61.70
diesel $5.61 $35.39 $70.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.1 0 $16.83 $7.69
Efficient EV 40.1 0 $14.03 $6.41
EV Truck/SUV 64.1 0 $22.44 $10.26

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hillsboro, KS

Night in Hillsboro on Saturday

Local time

11:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Mostly Clear

NNW 10 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 12:31AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:58PM CDT until April 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Night in Shawnee on Saturday

Local time

11:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 15 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 12:31AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:58PM CDT until April 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS

76°F

Centropolis, KS

80 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

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

2h 59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on interstates and major highways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 100.8 miles on I 35, which means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal navigation. While the majority is interstate cruising, the inclusion of US 50 and KS 150 may introduce slightly more varied scenery as you approach your destination. Overall, anticipate a predictable driving experience dominated by high-speed travel.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.8 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 50. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Ash Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Ash Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Hillsboro, KS and Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.

Kansas City

55.5 mi in | ~1h 6m

Wichita

55.5 mi in | ~1h 6m

Topeka

55.5 mi in | ~1h 6m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.8 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Shawnee, 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 (South Ash Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Shawnee, KS before heading back.

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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