Origin
Kansas City, KS
Late night in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, KS to Gypsum, 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 16m
Distance
178.7 mi
288 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gypsum, KS
Jimmy Nilsson Masth
Trip Overview
Kansas City, KS to Gypsum, KS is 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 16m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Kansas. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it’s a perfect option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes highway, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
89.4 miles from Kansas City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 91.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 69 | 54.3 mi | 56m |
| 600 Avenue | 12.2 mi | 16m |
| Gulf Road | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Eisenhower Memorial Highway | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| North Buckeye Avenue | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| North 7th Street Trafficway | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Gypsum, 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: Topeka
Use 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, Salina
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 70
91 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 275
Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto KS 15
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Buckeye Avenue
9
Continue on KS 15
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
10
Continue on KS 15
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf Road
11
Continue on KS 15
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
12
Turn right onto KS 4
12 mi
·
16 min
·
600 Avenue
13
Continue on KS 4
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Maple Street
14
Turn left onto West 5th Street
126 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 5th Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 16m duration, starting your drive in Kansas City, KS in the morning allows ample time to reach Gypsum, KS, well before evening. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on the highway is over 90 miles, and gas stations might be less frequent in some areas. This is a flexible trip, so consider leaving a bit later if you prefer a more relaxed start.
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 89.4 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 39 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gypsum, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kansas City, KS
This is one driving day of about 178.7 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kansas City, 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 91.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Kansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.3 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147.8 — 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
8
147.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 275
Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.94 one way
$55.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.67 | $61.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.39 | $68.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.45 | $78.91 |
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
$28
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 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 | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
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
Gypsum, KS
Late night in Gypsum on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Tecumseh, KS
89 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
20 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 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed bag, with 31% of it being highway driving. You'll experience the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 91.3 miles, likely providing a consistent pace. The rest of the journey incorporates other main roads like US 69 and 600 Avenue, suggesting a transition to potentially more local or two-lane sections as you approach Gypsum. Expect a generally open and relatively flat driving experience characteristic of the Great Plains.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.3 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Armstrong 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 16m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
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 Kansas City, KS and Gypsum, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Clay Center.
Salina
55.6 mi in
|
~59m
|
via I 70
Clay Center
147.8 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 178.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential 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.
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: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Gypsum, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Gypsum, KS
More trips to Gypsum, KS
Explore more options from Kansas City, KS or browse trips ending in Gypsum, KS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KS road trips.