Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
35.3 mi
57 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leavenworth, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Leavenworth to Lenexa, you are looking at a manageable 35.3-mile journey that typically takes about 49 minutes to complete. Because this route is entirely within the Great Plains, you can expect a straightforward transition between these two Kansas cities. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you will not need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated travel logistics. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly cost-effective way to navigate the region. Whether you are commuting or heading out for local errands, the simplicity of this short drive makes it a stress-free option for your schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Main Street | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| I 435 | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| South 4th Street | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Spruce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 24 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lenexa Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Lenexa, KS.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto KS 92
Turn right onto US 73; K-7
Continue on US 73; K-7
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
Take the exit
Merge onto I 435
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
Turn right
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Leavenworth, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 34.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto US 24; US 40 toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$5.52 one way
$11.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.06 | $12.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.79 | $13.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.79 | $15.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Lenexa on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from local streets to major thoroughfares. You will start your journey with the longest uninterrupted stretch of 12.3 miles on North Main Street before shifting onto the faster-paced I-435 and the Kansas Turnpike. With highway travel accounting for 45% of the total distance, the route balances urban navigation with quicker interstate transit. The character of the road changes noticeably as you leave the local feel of the initial stretch and merge into the busier, high-speed flow of the turnpike. It is a functional drive that requires your full attention during the transition between road types.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in near US 24; US 40.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 35.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.1 miles (US 24; US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Leavenworth, KS to Lenexa, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
Lenexa is a city in Eastern Kansas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 35.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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