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Trip from Junction City, KS to Sedgwick County, 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 20m

Distance

117 mi

188 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 11m ★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m

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 and county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States

Junction City, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Sedgwick County, KS, KS

Sedgwick County, KS

David Guerrero

Trip Overview

This 117-mile drive from Junction City, Kansas, to Sedgwick County, Kansas, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 77, US 50, and I-135, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for exploring the heart of the Great Plains. The highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B within the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

58.5 miles from Junction City, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 77 55.2 mi 1h 4m
US 50 28.6 mi 33m
I 135 18.3 mi 19m
West Central Avenue 2.9 mi 5m
North Washington Street 1.5 mi 3m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 1.2 mi 1m
North Maize Road 0.6 mi 1m
KS 18 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 77 — 55.2 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Junction City, KS and Sedgwick County, KS.

1

Start on North Jefferson Street

130 ft · 11 sec · North Jefferson Street
2

Turn left onto West 6th Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · West 6th Street
3

Turn right onto US 40 Business

1.5 mi · 3 min · North Washington Street
4

Enter roundabout onto US 40 Business

136 ft · 3 sec · US 40 Business
5

Continue on US 40 Business

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 40 Business
6

Merge onto I 70; US 40; KS 18

1.2 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Take the exit onto KS 18

0.2 mi · 27 sec · KS 18
Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington
8

Keep slight left at fork onto KS 18

0.1 mi · 24 sec · KS 18
Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington Use the left lane.
9

Turn right onto US 77

46 mi · 54 min · US 77
Toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Enter roundabout onto US 77

175 ft · 3 sec · US 77
11

Continue on US 77

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 77
12

Enter roundabout onto US 50

51 ft · 2 sec · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
13

Continue on US 50

25 mi · 30 min · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50

3.2 mi · 3 min · US 50
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
15

Continue on I 135; US 81

18 mi · 19 min · I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

7.7 mi · 9 min
Exit 11A Toward I 235 West, KS 96 West Use the slight right lane.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 8 Toward Central Avenue
18

Turn left onto North Gilda Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · North Gilda Street
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto West Central Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Central Avenue
20

Turn left onto North Maize Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Maize Road
21

Turn left

130 ft · 9 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 20-minute drive, leaving in the morning or early afternoon offers the most flexibility. Since it's a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule. The estimated fuel cost is $18, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Junction City. While there are no specific stops listed, it's always wise to take a short break during the 55.2-mile stretch on US 77 to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during adverse weather, as I-135 can see significant traffic.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.5 miles from Junction City, KS, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.2 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 26 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.5 miles or 1h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 54m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Junction 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 Junction City, KS

This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Junction City, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 77 for about 55.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Peabody, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peabody, KS

59 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

Herington, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peabody, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Junction City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 117

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Candycane Lane

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 117

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 113.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
3.2 mi into trip | ~6m in | KS 18

Keep slight left at fork onto KS 18 toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington

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

Use the left lane. Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington
6
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 77

Turn right onto US 77 toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington
6
83.9 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | US 50

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wi...
8
105.4 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 235 West, KS 96 West

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 11A Toward I 235 West, KS 96 West
6
113.3 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | North Gilda Street

Turn left onto North Gilda Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.29 one way

$36.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.08 $40.17
premium $4.89 $22.52 $45.03
diesel $5.61 $25.83 $51.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.1 0 $12.29 $5.62
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.24 $4.68
EV Truck/SUV 46.8 0 $16.38 $7.49

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 17, 2026

Origin

Junction City, KS

Afternoon in Junction City on Sunday

Local time

1:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 20 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 2:58AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 2:14AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

Destination

Sedgwick County, KS

Afternoon in Sedgwick County on Sunday

Local time

1:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Partly Cloudy

S 20 to 23 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 2:58AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 2:14AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

81°F

Peabody, KS

59 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

1 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 20m 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?

Expect a mostly highway-focused experience on this 117-mile trip, with 88% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.2 miles on US 77, offering a good opportunity to settle in and make steady progress. The route is characterized by its efficiency, designed for covering distance rather than showcasing varied landscapes. As you navigate US 77, US 50, and I-135, the drive maintains a consistent, predictable flow, making it easy to manage your time and attention behind the wheel.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.2 mi on US 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near KS 18.

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 16 significant decision points across 117 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 3.2 miles (KS 18): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (US 77): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.9 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Junction City, KS

Full guide →

Junction City is the seat of Geary County, in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. It is a small city of around 23,000 people.

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 2h 20m. Total distance: 117 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.2 miles on US 77. 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 Sedgwick County, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (KS 18): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (US 77): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.9 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sedgwick County, 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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