Traveling from Leavenworth to Attica covers 260.3 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 10 minutes. Because of the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, this route is best suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating through local streets like Spruce Street, South 4th Street, and North Main Street defines the rhythm of your day. While the drive is straightforward enough to tackle in one go, staying mindful of the winding local sections will help you manage your time effectively behind the wheel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
171.8 mi
2h 51m
KS 2
17.7 mi
31m
State Highway 42
17.3 mi
30m
US 160
13.5 mi
20m
North Main Street
12 mi
16m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.4 mi
14m
West Southwest Boulevard
7.7 mi
9m
South 4th Street
3.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 171.8 mi, about 2h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Attica, KS.
1
Start on this road
277 ft·25 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
3
Turn right onto US 73; K-7
3.2 mi·6 min·South 4th Street
4
Continue on US 73; K-7
12 mi·16 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 70 West: TopekaUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
40 mi·40 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470
132 mi·2 hr 11 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, WichitaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 53AToward US 54, US 400
9
Merge onto US 54; US 400
11 mi·14 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 235 SouthUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 235
1.6 mi·1 min·I 235
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward KS 42
13
Turn right onto KS 42
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Southwest Boulevard
14
Continue on KS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·West Cessna Boulevard
15
Continue on KS 42
7.2 mi·9 min·West Southwest Boulevard
16
Continue on KS 42
17 mi·30 min·State Highway 42
17
Turn left onto KS 2
18 mi·31 min·KS 2
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 160; KS 2
1.1 mi·1 min·East 14th Street
19
Turn left onto US 160; KS 2
3.0 mi·4 min·US 160; KS 2
20
Turn right onto US 160
10 mi·15 min·US 160
21
Turn left onto North Main Street
116 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan your departure early in the day to account for the 5-hour and 10-minute duration and the necessary focus required for local navigation. Since you are limited to a single stop, choose your break wisely to maximize efficiency while managing the 260.3-mile distance. Keep your $40 fuel budget handy and consider refueling before leaving the more populated areas to avoid any mid-trip stress. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, use a reliable GPS to stay on track through the various street transitions. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to match the changing demands of the local roads.
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 130.2 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.8 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.2 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Attica, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, KS
This is one driving day of about 260.3 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Leavenworth, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 171.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.7 and 199.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Turn left toward I 70 West: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
5
16.1 mi into trip|~24m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470 / Kansas Turnpike toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
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 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
6
188 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 54, US 400
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53A
Toward US 54, US 400
6
199.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 235 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 235 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.69 one way
$81.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.68
$89.36
premium
$4.89
$50.09
$100.18
diesel
$5.61
$57.47
$114.94
Estimated Tolls: $8.59
Kansas Turnpike
(171.8 mi)$8.59
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
$41
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.33
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.44
$16.66
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Leavenworth, KS
Evening
in Leavenworth on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Attica, KS
Evening
in Attica on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
11 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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, the path is characterized by frequent turns that require your full attention and keep the pace steady. You will find yourself navigating through local thoroughfares, which provides a consistent, turn-heavy feel compared to the monotony of a major highway. Without long, uninterrupted stretches to zone out, the drive demands active engagement as you transition between sections. It is a practical, local-focused route that favors precision over pure speed.
85% 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: 171.8 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and KS 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 260.3 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 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Leavenworth, KS to Attica, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Wichita along the way.
Wichita
56.3 mi in|~1h 5m|via I 470
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 260.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.8 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.59 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 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 Attica, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Attica, KS before the return drive.
