Kansas City, KS to Atwood, KS is 400 miles and takes about 7h 11m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from the Kansas City area westward. Expect a drive that relies heavily on surface roads once you're further into Kansas, offering a straightforward transit across the state. It's a solid option if you need to get from eastern Kansas to the northwestern part of the state efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
200 miles from Kansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
220.8 mi
3h 40m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi
1h 34m
US 69
54.3 mi
56m
South Range Avenue
30.5 mi
54m
North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi
3m
Kansas Turnpike
0.9 mi
1m
State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Armstrong Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 220.8 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~828 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,121
Quietest
2 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Kansas City, KS and Atwood, KS.
1
Start on this road
149 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
282 ft·14 sec·Armstrong Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 69
1.3 mi·3 min·North 7th Street Trafficway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto US 69
54 mi·56 min·US 69
Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: TopekaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Starting your drive from Kansas City, KS earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight hours, especially since it's a single-day trip. With 2 stops recommended, plan to break up the 7+ hour drive to stay refreshed. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 220 miles, so be sure to fuel up before heading into that section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services may be more spread out on the surface roads you'll encounter for much of this 400-mile route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.8 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 88 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwood, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kansas 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kansas City, KS
This is one driving day of about 400 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Kansas City, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 220.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 369 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway
Turn right onto US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|US 69
Take the ramp onto US 69 toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69...
8
55.6 mi into trip|~59m in|I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
5
369 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.02 one way
$124.03 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$68.00
$136.00
premium
$4.93
$77.61
$155.21
diesel
$5.60
$88.17
$176.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Kansas Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.05
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
$62
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120
1
$42.00
$19.20
Efficient EV
100
1
$35.00
$16.00
EV Truck/SUV
160
1
$56.00
$25.60
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Kansas City, KS
Late night
in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atwood, KS
Late night
in Atwood on Saturday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°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
21 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
7h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 14% on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on local roads, with the longest continuous stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway covering 220.8 miles before transitioning to surface roads. This means you'll likely notice more frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you move through towns and rural areas.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 220.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Armstrong Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 11m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,157 ft835 ft
Total Climb
2,330 ft
Total Descent
341 ft
Highest Point
3,157 ft
~371.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,322 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kansas City, KS and Atwood, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Leoti.
Kansas City is a city in the state of Kansas, in the United States of America, and a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Kansas, is often referred to as KCK, and Kansas City, Missouri, as KCMO. The two Kansas Cities form the core of the wider Kansas City metropolitan area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 400 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 220.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.05 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Atwood, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Atwood, KS before the return drive.
