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Trip from Kansas City, KS to Salina, 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 3m

Distance

173.2 mi

279 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

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 the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States

Salina, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 173.2-mile drive from Kansas City, KS, to Salina, KS, is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Great Plains, taking approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes. It's a perfectly manageable day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this excursion is around $27, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily be on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and US 69, with about 32% of the drive on highways. The overall feel is a practical, no-frills transit between two points within the same state.

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

86.6 miles from Kansas City, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 91.6 mi 1h 34m
US 69 54.3 mi 56m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 22.2 mi 22m
North 9th Street 2.5 mi 5m
North 7th Street Trafficway 1.3 mi 3m
Kansas Turnpike 0.9 mi 1m
Armstrong Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
West Iron Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — 91.6 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Salina, 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

92 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on I 70; US 40

22 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward KS 143
9

Turn left onto KS 143

2.5 mi · 5 min · North 9th Street
10

Turn left onto West Iron Avenue

279 ft · 13 sec · West Iron Avenue
11

Turn right onto South 8th Street

92 ft · 3 sec · South 8th Street
12

Arrive at destination

South 8th Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 3-hour duration, you can easily tackle this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility and to arrive in Salina with plenty of daylight. You'll only have one designated stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 91.6-mile stretch on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, as services might be spaced out. With a fuel cost estimate of $27, it's an affordable trip, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.

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 86.6 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.6 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 38 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salina, 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 173.2 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 91.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Overbrook, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Overbrook, KS

87 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

Leavenworth County, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shawnee County, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Kansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.6 miles.

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.

Top Restaurant

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Topeka, Kansas

0.9 mi

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.2 mi

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 61.9

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17853541500

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–9:30 pm

+19132330463

Visit website

Bob Evans

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.4

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+19132991278

Visit website

Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 12.4

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19133280003

Visit website

Whataburger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.4

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19138715874

Visit website

Tequilas North Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.9

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17854785663

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 148.4

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 173.2

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 148.4

Abilene, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 173.2

Salina, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 173.2 — 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
173.2 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | South 8th Street

Turn right onto South 8th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.08 one way

$54.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.73 $59.46
premium $4.89 $33.33 $66.66
diesel $5.61 $38.24 $76.48

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

$27

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52 0 $18.19 $8.31
Efficient EV 43.3 0 $15.15 $6.93
EV Truck/SUV 69.3 0 $24.25 $11.08

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, KS

Late night in Kansas City on Sunday

Local time

5:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salina, KS

Late night in Salina on Sunday

Local time

5:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°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

7 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

3h 3m 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

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,...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 59.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 32% of it being on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.6 miles on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While much of the drive will likely involve consistent road conditions, be prepared for transitions as you move between the main highways and other designated roads. The character is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel across the plains.

32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.6 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 3m drive. You will face about 8 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91.6 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.

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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Salina, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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