Leavenworth, KS to Moundridge, KS is 200.3 miles and takes about 3h 44m via Kansas Turnpike and US 50, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains, offering a straightforward drive through Kansas. With a high percentage of highway driving, it’s a practical option if you're looking to get between these two points efficiently. Plan for a single day trip, as the estimated drive time is well within a typical travel day.
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
100.1 miles from Leavenworth, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
97.2 mi
1h 37m
US 50
69.6 mi
1h 22m
I 135
13.7 mi
13m
North Main Street
11.9 mi
16m
South 4th Street
3.2 mi
6m
Arrowhead Road
1.3 mi
1m
Spruce Street
0.6 mi
1m
East Cole Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 97.2 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Moundridge, 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
57 mi·57 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, WichitaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
9
Merge onto I 35
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 35
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 127AToward US 50: Newton
11
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft·7 sec
12
Enter roundabout
27 ft·0 sec
13
Continue
0.2 mi·11 sec
14
Enter roundabout onto US 50
33 ft·0 sec·US 50
15
Continue on US 50
43 mi·50 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 50
197 ft·8 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
17
Continue on US 50
25 mi·30 min·US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
1.4 mi·1 min·US 50
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward First Street, Broadway StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Enter roundabout
412 ft·8 sec
21
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
22
Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81
0.5 mi·30 sec·I 135; US 50; US 81
23
Continue on I 135; US 81
13 mi·13 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 46Toward KS 260 West: Moundridge
25
Turn left onto Arrowhead Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Road
26
Continue on East Cole Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Cole Street
27
Arrive at destination
Cole Street
Trip Plan
For this 200.3-mile drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip with a 3h 44m estimated duration, you can afford to take your time with one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 97.2-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The $35 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices.
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 100.1 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.2 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moundridge, 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 200.3 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 97.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.7 and 183.9 — 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
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
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Newton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 127A
Toward US 50: Newton
6
182.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|US 50
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wi...
7
183.9 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward First Street, Broadway Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward First Street, Broadway Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.30 one way
$66.60 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$36.27
$72.55
premium
$5.18
$40.87
$81.74
diesel
$5.35
$42.19
$84.38
Estimated Tolls: $4.86
Kansas Turnpike
(97.2 mi)$4.86
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
$33
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.53
$8.01
EV Truck/SUV
80.1
1
$28.04
$12.82
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Leavenworth, KS
Afternoon
in Leavenworth on Wednesday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 3:17AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 1:22AM CDT until June 2 at 5:30AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Moundridge, KS
Afternoon
in Moundridge on Wednesday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 8 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 3:17AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 1:22AM CDT until June 2 at 5:30AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 44m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 90% of this 200.3-mile drive to be on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 97.2 miles, primarily on the Kansas Turnpike. After exiting the main highway system, you'll transition to US 50 and I-135 for the remainder of the trip. This setup suggests a drive with frequent exits early on, giving way to more open cruising.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.2 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 50. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 200.3 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 56.3 miles (I 470 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,493 ft841 ft
Total Climb
881 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
1,493 ft
~200.3 mi in
Elevation Range
652 ft
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 Moundridge, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Wichita along the way.
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas.
Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Top landmarks
•Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center — historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
•Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth — building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
•Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 200.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.2 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.86 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.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Moundridge, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: 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; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Moundridge, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
