Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Hutchinson, KS to Gardner, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
190.7 mi
307 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hutchinson, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Gardner, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Hutchinson to Gardner is 190.7 miles and takes about 3h 34m via I 35 and Limestone Road, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path between two points in Kansas. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a convenient option for a single-day trip. The drive is primarily on major highways, making it efficient for travelers looking to cover ground quickly. Plan for a simple, direct transit between these two Kansas communities.
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
95.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 79.7 mi | 1h 20m |
| 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 |
| I 135 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| East 11th Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| South Center Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 79.7 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~751 veh/hr typical · worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hutchinson, KS and Gardner, 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
80 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 35
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Gardner Road
20
Turn left onto Gardner Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Gardner Road
21
Continue on South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
22
Turn right onto US 56
94 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Main Street
23
Turn right
61 ft
·
4 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This is a manageable 3.5-hour drive, so leaving in the morning from Hutchinson allows ample time to reach Gardner without feeling rushed. You'll encounter one primary stop on the way, so consider breaking up the longest stretch of I 35, which is nearly 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $30, and while there are services along I 35, it's always wise to top off before heading onto the less developed surface roads closer to Gardner. Given the short distance, you have flexibility, but planning around that 79.7-mile highway segment can make the drive smoother.
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 95.4 miles from Hutchinson, KS, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.7 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gardner, 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 190.7 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 79.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.4 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 79.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 108.4 — 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
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Maple Street
Turn left onto North Maple Street
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.71 one way
$63.41 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $34.54 | $69.07 |
| premium | $5.18 | $38.91 | $77.83 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $40.17 | $80.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.02 | $9.15 |
| Efficient EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.3 | 0 | $26.70 | $12.20 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Origin
Hutchinson, KS
Afternoon in Hutchinson on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 8 mph
72% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 8:29PM MDT until June 1 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 9:22PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Destination
Gardner, KS
Afternoon in Gardner on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 7 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 8:29PM MDT until June 1 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 9:22PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 34m 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?
You'll spend about 78% of this 190.7-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on I 35 spans 79.7 miles, offering a solid period of open road. After the highway sections, you'll transition to surface roads like Limestone Road and Ken Kennedy Freeway, likely noticing a change in pace and traffic density as you approach your destination. This route involves a significant amount of highway cruising, with a clear shift to local roads towards the end.
78% 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: 79.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Limestone Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 34m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,588 ft
938 ft
Total Climb
249 ft
Total Descent
724 ft
Highest Point
1,588 ft
~40.9 mi in
Elevation Range
650 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 Gardner, 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
About the Cities
Starting in Hutchinson, KS
Full guide →Founded 1871
Hutchinson is a city in Central Kansas.
Top landmarks
- • Fox Theater — movie theater in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States
Arriving in Gardner, KS
Full guide →Founded 1857
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 34m. Total distance: 190.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 0.2 miles (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Gardner, 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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