Leawood, KS to Concordia, KS is 207.6 miles and takes about 4h 1m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Kansas. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway.
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
103.8 miles from Leawood, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
52.4 mi
54m
KS 10
36.7 mi
40m
18th Road
19.7 mi
22m
Eagle Road
16 mi
18m
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
15.2 mi
19m
Kansas Turnpike
14.3 mi
14m
140th Road
9.9 mi
10m
Madison Road
9.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 52.4 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,289 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,574
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
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 Concordia, 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.
Toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard
16
Continue on KS 177
0.2 mi·39 sec·Fort Riley Boulevard
17
Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.7 mi·8 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto US 24
232 ft·2 sec·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
19
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
20
Enter roundabout onto US 24
161 ft·1 sec·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
21
Continue on US 24
8.6 mi·10 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
22
Turn left onto US 24; US 77
9.1 mi·10 min·Madison Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto KS 82
4.0 mi·4 min·Cavalry Road
24
Turn left onto US 24
2.5 mi·2 min·Barton Road
25
Continue on US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·18th Road
26
Continue on US 24
2.2 mi·4 min·Crawford Street
27
Continue on US 24
12 mi·13 min·18th Road
28
Continue on US 24
16 mi·18 min·Eagle Road
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward Concordia
30
Merge onto US 81
9.9 mi·10 min·140th Road
31
Continue on US 81
3.1 mi·3 min·145th Road
32
Continue on US 81
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Street
33
Turn left onto East 7th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East 7th Street
34
Turn right onto State Street
194 ft·10 sec·State Street
35
Turn right
119 ft·8 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Leawood in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Concordia before dark. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but plan for that longest stretch of 52.4 miles on the highway to be completed before you start looking for your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from highway to surface roads, as services can be more spread out in rural areas. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so budget accordingly.
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 103.8 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.4 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.8 miles or 1h 55m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concordia, 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 207.6 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 52.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 115.3 — 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
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward Manhattan, Council Grove
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Manhattan, Council Grove
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.52 one way
$69.03 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$37.60
$75.19
premium
$5.18
$42.36
$84.72
diesel
$5.35
$43.73
$87.45
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.17
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.06
$13.29
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 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
Concordia, KS
Afternoon
in Concordia on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
5 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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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?
About a third of this 207.6-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a 52.4-mile stretch on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway before transitioning to other roads like KS 10 and 18th Road. Expect a shift from faster highway speeds to more typical rural cruising as you get closer to Concordia. The transition point isn't precisely marked but is noticeable as you move from the main highway.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.4 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2.7 miles in near I 435; US 50.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 207.6 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 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,450 ft880 ft
Total Climb
842 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
1,450 ft
~192.8 mi in
Elevation Range
570 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 Concordia, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Manhattan and Council Grove.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 207.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.4 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential 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 6 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 Concordia, 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 6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Concordia, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
