Origin
Hutchinson, KS
Night in Hutchinson on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hutchinson, KS to Centropolis, 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 31m
Distance
181.1 mi
291 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hutchinson, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Centropolis, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hutchinson to Centropolis covers 181.1 miles across the Great Plains, making for a straightforward drive that typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Because this route is highly efficient, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel, which keeps this excursion budget-friendly. You will primarily navigate via I-35, Limestone Road, and the Ken Kennedy Freeway. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a reliable connection between these two Kansas locations.
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
90.5 miles from Hutchinson, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 61.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Limestone Road | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| Ken Kennedy Freeway | 26.6 mi | 29m |
| US 50 | 24.7 mi | 29m |
| KS 150 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| US 59 | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Stafford Road | 4.4 mi | 10m |
| I 135 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hutchinson, KS and Centropolis, KS.
1
Start on this road
347 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
East 8th Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Maple Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Maple Street
4
Turn right onto East 11th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 11th Avenue
5
Turn left onto KS 61
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Ken Kennedy Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 135; US 81
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 135; US 81
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 56, McPherson, Marion
9
Turn right onto US 56
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
10
Continue on US 56
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Limestone Road
11
Enter roundabout onto KS 150
186 ft
·
3 sec
·
KS 150
12
Continue on KS 150
17 mi
·
19 min
·
KS 150
13
Turn left onto US 50
25 mi
·
29 min
·
US 50
14
Enter roundabout
364 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
15
Continue
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
16
Enter roundabout
30 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
17
Continue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
18
Merge onto I 35
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 35
19
Take the exit onto US 59
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US 59
Exit 188
Toward US 59 North: Lawrence
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Stafford Road
21
Turn left onto Stafford Road
4.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Stafford Road
22
Continue on Barnes Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Barnes Avenue
23
Turn right onto North 9th Street
327 ft
·
14 sec
·
North 9th Street
24
Arrive at destination
North 9th Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3 hour and 31 minute trip is simple, as you only need to factor in one main stop to keep your travel stress-free. Since the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the busier stretches of your route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the journey so you can utilize that single planned stop effectively. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for a drive of this length, allowing you to bypass potential traffic congestion. Always check your tire pressure before heading out, as the sustained speeds on the 61.1-mile I-35 segment make vehicle maintenance especially important.
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 90.5 miles from Hutchinson, KS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 40 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centropolis, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hutchinson, 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 Hutchinson, KS
This is one driving day of about 181.1 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Hutchinson, 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 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.5 miles from Hutchinson, 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 61.1 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 169.8 — 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
|
East 8th Avenue
Turn right onto East 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
30.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward US 56, McPherson, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 56, McPherson, Marion
6
108.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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
108.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Enter roundabout toward I 35 North: Kansas City
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
5
169.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
US 59
Take the exit onto US 59 toward US 59 North: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 188
Toward US 59 North: Lawrence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.31 one way
$56.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.09 | $62.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.85 | $69.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.98 | $79.97 |
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: 63.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.02 | $8.69 |
| Efficient EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.85 | $7.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.35 | $11.59 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Centropolis, KS
Night in Centropolis on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
1 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
3h 31m 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
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,...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 181.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 76% of the journey spent on major highways. You will experience a mix of fast-paced interstate travel and transitionary local roads as you move through the heart of the state. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-35, where you can settle in for 61.1 miles of consistent road time. While it serves as a functional highway-focused route, the character shifts from the broader plains to the specific segments of the Ken Kennedy Freeway. Expect a steady, predictable pace behind the wheel that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Limestone Road. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 181.1 miles you will encounter 18 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 (East 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,565 ft
951 ft
Total Climb
98 ft
Total Descent
672 ft
Highest Point
1,565 ft
~38.8 mi in
Elevation Range
614 ft
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 Hutchinson, KS and Centropolis, KS, road signs point toward Mcpherson, Marion, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Mcpherson
30.4 mi in
|
~37m
Marion
30.4 mi in
|
~37m
Kansas City
108.2 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Wichita
108.2 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Topeka
108.2 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 181.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.1 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Centropolis, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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