Leawood, KS to Atwood, KS is 406.3 miles and takes about 7h 23m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $72 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Kansas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly surface road experience, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. If you're looking for a direct path across the state without significant detours, this option fits the bill.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.1 miles from Leawood, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
220.8 mi
3h 40m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi
1h 34m
KS 10
36.7 mi
40m
South Range Avenue
30.5 mi
54m
Kansas Turnpike
14.3 mi
14m
I 435
8.3 mi
9m
State Line Road
1.3 mi
2m
Lee Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 220.8 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~835 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,078
Quietest
2 AM
~72 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leawood, KS and Atwood, KS.
1
Start on West 90th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·West 90th Street
2
Turn right onto Lee Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Lee Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West 95th Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·West 95th Street
4
Turn right onto State Line Road
1.3 mi·2 min·State Line Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
6
Merge onto I 435; US 50
8.3 mi·9 min·I 435; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1BToward KS 10 West: LawrenceUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on KS 10
37 mi·40 min·KS 10
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
10
Merge onto I 70
13 mi·13 min·Kansas Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Given the 7h 23m estimated drive time, departing Leawood in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 406.3 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer surface road portions, as stations may be less frequent than on the highway. The $72 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always budget a little extra. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your energy levels.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.1 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.8 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 89 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.1 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwood, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leawood, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Leawood, KS
This is one driving day of about 406.3 miles and 7h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Leawood, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 220.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 375.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 435; US 50
Merge onto I 435; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
11 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
5
48.1 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
8
62 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
375.3 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Take the exit toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.55 one way
$135.10 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$73.58
$147.16
premium
$5.18
$82.91
$165.82
diesel
$5.35
$85.58
$171.16
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Kansas Turnpike
(14.3 mi)$0.72
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
$68
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.9
1
$42.66
$19.50
Efficient EV
101.6
1
$35.55
$16.25
EV Truck/SUV
162.5
2
$56.88
$26.00
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Leawood, KS
Afternoon
in Leawood on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ESE 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Atwood, KS
Afternoon
in Atwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM 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
11 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
7h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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?
This route features a 15% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway covers 220.8 miles before you transition to KS 10 and other local roads. You'll notice the shift from interstate cruising to more local traffic patterns as you proceed. The profile is mostly surface roads, so anticipate navigating through towns and varied speed limits.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 220.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 435; US 50.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 406.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 435; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,158 ft870 ft
Total Climb
2,570 ft
Total Descent
659 ft
Highest Point
3,158 ft
~377.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,288 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leawood, KS and Atwood, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Leoti.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 23m. Total distance: 406.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 220.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 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 35 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 Atwood, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 435; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.1 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Atwood, KS before the return drive.
