Leawood, KS to Conway Springs, KS is 219 miles and takes about 4h 7m via US 50 and State Highway 42, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region for its entirety. With 86% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward trip, mostly on well-maintained roads. You'll spend most of your time cruising, so pack some good audiobooks or podcasts for the nearly 4-hour drive. It's a single-day trip that won't eat up your entire schedule.
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
109.5 miles from Leawood, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
171.1 mi
2h 55m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.4 mi
14m
State Highway 42
8.7 mi
15m
West Southwest Boulevard
7.7 mi
9m
I 435
6.8 mi
7m
North Conway Springs Road
5.5 mi
9m
I 235
1.6 mi
1m
State Line Road
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 171.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~761 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,009
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Conway Springs, 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
6.8 mi·7 min·I 435; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 50
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 50
Exit 83Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
171 mi·2 hr 54 min·US 50
Toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 169 South: WichitaUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 53AToward US 54, US 400
10
Merge onto US 54; US 400
11 mi·14 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 235 SouthUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 235
1.6 mi·1 min·I 235
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward KS 42
14
Turn right onto KS 42
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Southwest Boulevard
15
Continue on KS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·West Cessna Boulevard
16
Continue on KS 42
7.2 mi·9 min·West Southwest Boulevard
17
Continue on KS 42
8.7 mi·15 min·State Highway 42
18
Turn left onto KS 49
0.7 mi·1 min·Grice Street
19
Continue on KS 49
0.3 mi·28 sec·South 263rd Street West
20
Continue on KS 49
5.5 mi·9 min·North Conway Springs Road
21
Continue on KS-49
0.4 mi·39 sec·North 5th Street
22
Turn right onto Spring Avenue
322 ft·14 sec·Spring Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Spring Avenue
Trip Plan
Leaving Leawood in the morning should get you to Conway Springs with plenty of daylight to spare. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for just one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 171.1-mile stretch on US 50, as services might be more spread out in that section. The $35 fuel estimate should cover the 219 miles comfortably.
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 109.5 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.1 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conway Springs, 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 219 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 50 for about 171.1 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 192.5 — 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.
8
9.5 mi into trip|~14m in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 83
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita...
8
10 mi into trip|~15m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 1...
6
180.6 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 54, US 400
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53A
Toward US 54, US 400
6
192.5 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 235 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 235 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.53 one way
$73.06 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.70
$79.41
premium
$5.26
$45.34
$90.69
diesel
$6.18
$53.28
$106.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.16
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Leawood, KS
Morning
in Leawood on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:31AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 10:30PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Destination
Conway Springs, KS
Morning
in Conway Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SSW 0 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:31AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 10:30PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Dodge City 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
4h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 86% of this 219-mile drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 171.1 miles on US 50, so expect extended periods of consistent cruising. After that, you'll transition to State Highway 42 for the remainder of the trip. Given the mostly highway profile, you can anticipate a steady pace with fewer abrupt changes in speed or direction.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171.1 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 219 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 9.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 219 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.1 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Conway Springs, 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 11 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 9.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Conway Springs, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
