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Trip from Leawood, KS to Colby, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 32m

Distance

377.7 mi

608 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 20m ★
6 AM
6h 32m
8 AM
6h 57m
10 AM
6h 41m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 42m
5 PM
6h 56m
8 PM
6h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Leawood, KS, KS

Leawood, KS

Спиридон Варфаламеев

Downtown Colby, KS, KS

Colby, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Crossing Kansas from Leawood to Colby takes you on a 377.7-mile journey across the heart of the Great Plains. You should plan for approximately 6 hours and 32 minutes of drive time, making this a manageable, albeit long, one-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $57, you can expect a straightforward transit that stays within state lines. You will primarily utilize the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, and KS 10 to navigate the distance. Because this is a single-day commitment, it is best suited for travelers looking to move efficiently between regions without the need for an overnight stay.

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

188.9 miles from Leawood, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m 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
Kansas Turnpike 14.3 mi 14m
I 435 8.3 mi 9m
South Range Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leawood, KS and Colby, 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 1B Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence Use 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, Salina Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 70

92 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

221 mi · 3 hr 40 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
15

Turn right onto KS 25

2.1 mi · 4 min · South Range Avenue
16

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · West 3rd Street
17

Arrive at destination

West 3rd Street

Trip Plan

To keep your 6-hour and 32-minute trip comfortable, you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route involves a significant amount of local road travel, departing early in the morning will help you avoid fatigue and maintain steady progress. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $57 estimate can fluctuate depending on your specific vehicle and driving habits. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local road segments, pay close attention to signage to ensure you stay on track during the transition points. Staying flexible with your pace is the best way to manage this 377.7-mile trek effectively.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.9 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 3h 20m 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 83 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 188.9 miles or 3h 20m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colby, 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 377.7 miles and 6h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Leawood, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 220.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Grandview Plaza, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grandview Plaza, KS

189 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

Valley Falls, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salina, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 188.9 miles from Leawood, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 220.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pheasant Run | Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hays, Kansas

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 269.8

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17856281044

Visit website

Center Pivot Restaurant and Brewery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Colby, Kansas

0.3 mi

TRIO Tap House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hays, Kansas

0.8 mi

Pheasant Run | Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17856281044

Visit website

Center Pivot Restaurant and Brewery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 377.7

Colby, Kansas

Hours: 4–10 pm

+17854602772

Visit website

TRIO Tap House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17856212221

Visit website

Café Provence

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10

Prairie Village, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+19133845998

Visit website

Caffetteria Modern Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Prairie Village, Kansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+19137443100

Visit website

Farm House Cooking & Catering

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 323.8

Quinter, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17857548915

Visit website

Café Vie

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+19139010565

Visit website

Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18165235462

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Arcade 11 Bar & Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 269.8

Hays, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17856214443

Visit website

City Limits Bar & Grill

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 377.7

Colby, Kansas

Hours: 3–9 pm

+17854626565

Visit website

Game Show Battle Rooms - Kansas City (Overland Park)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–9:30 pm

+19133501819

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

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

$59.05 one way

$118.10 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $64.83 $129.67
premium $4.89 $72.68 $145.37
diesel $5.61 $83.39 $166.78

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

$59

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 113.3 1 $39.66 $18.13
Efficient EV 94.4 1 $33.05 $15.11
EV Truck/SUV 151.1 1 $52.88 $24.17

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% 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 Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Leawood, KS

Evening in Leawood on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Partly Cloudy

SSW 10 to 14 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:08PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 14 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS

Destination

Colby, KS

Evening in Colby on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Clear

SW 10 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:08PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 14 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka 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

17 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

6h 32m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple interstate sprint. Only 16% of your journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which features a long, 220.8-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your trip. While the open plains provide a steady backdrop, the shift between highway transit and local road segments keeps the drive engaging. Be prepared for a transition in road rhythm as you move off the main corridors.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 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 12 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 Effort 6/10

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 377.7 miles you will encounter 12 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.

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 Leawood, KS to Colby, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.

Salina

62 mi in | ~1h 11m | via I 70

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 377.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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 Colby, 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 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colby, KS before the return drive.

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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