Origin
Leawood, KS
Night in Leawood on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leawood, KS to Baker, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
96.3 mi
155 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leawood, KS
Спиридон Варфаламеев
Baker, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leawood, KS to Baker, KS is 96.3 miles and takes about 2h 16m via I 29 and US 73 Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive through familiar territory. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable journey for anyone looking for a direct route without extensive planning. The blend of highway and local roads makes for a varied, yet efficient, travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.1 miles from Leawood, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| US 73 Highway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| 45 Highway | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Harry Darby Memorial Highway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| US Highway 73 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Central Avenue | 6 mi | 9m |
| 273 Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Southwest 59 Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leawood, KS and Baker, KS.
1
Start on West 90th Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West 90th Street
2
Turn right onto Meadow Lane
371 ft
·
21 sec
·
Meadow Lane
3
Turn left onto West 89th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 89th Street
4
Turn right onto Mission Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Mission Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto West 75th Street
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West 75th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Metcalf Avenue
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Metcalf Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 29; US 71
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto MO 273; MO 371
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
273 Highway
16
Continue on MO 273
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
273 Highway
17
Turn right onto MO 45; MO 273
14 mi
·
18 min
·
45 Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on MO 45; MO 273
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest 45 Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto US 59; MO 273
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest 59 Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 59; MO 273
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Amelia Earhart Bridge
21
Turn right onto South 4th Street
414 ft
·
14 sec
·
South 4th Street
22
Turn left onto Main Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
23
Turn left onto Woodlawn Avenue
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Woodlawn Avenue
24
Continue on US 73
16 mi
·
23 min
·
US 73 Highway
25
Continue on US 73
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 73
26
Continue on US 73; KS 20
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
110th Street
27
Continue on US 73; KS 20
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
28
Turn right onto US 73; US 159
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Central Avenue
29
Turn left onto 170th Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
170th Street
30
Arrive at destination
170th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 16m duration, starting your drive anytime in the morning should allow ample time to reach Baker, KS, well before evening. With only one day recommended, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. While there are no specific stops noted, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move off the main interstate; the estimated fuel cost is around $15. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from I 29 to US 73 Highway, as this is where the driving environment changes most significantly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.1 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.8 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.1 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baker, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Leawood, KS
This is one driving day of about 96.3 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Leawood, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 16.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.1 miles from Leawood, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 37.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Mission Road
Turn right onto Mission Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
West 75th Street
Turn left onto West 75th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
Metcalf Avenue
Turn right onto Metcalf Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
20.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 12A
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
8
37.4 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.06 one way
$30.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.53 | $33.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.53 | $37.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.26 | $42.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
| Efficient EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.48 | $6.16 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Baker, KS
Night in Baker on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
17 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
2h 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 42% of the route utilizing highway travel, primarily on I 29. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.8 miles on I 29, allowing for consistent progress. As you transition to US 73 Highway and then 45 Highway, expect the character of the road to shift towards more local routes. This means a dynamic driving experience, moving from faster highway speeds to more typical rural road conditions as you approach your destination.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.8 mi on I 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.8 miles in near Mission Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 96.3 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 0.8 miles (Mission Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (West 75th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Baker, KS, road signs point toward Saint Joseph and Weston.
Saint Joseph
20.2 mi in
|
~30m
Weston
37.4 mi in
|
~50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 96.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.8 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Baker, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Mission Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (West 75th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Baker, KS before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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