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Trip from Leawood, KS to Newton, KS

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

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

177 mi

285 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 15m

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

city in and county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States

Newton, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Leawood to Newton covers 177 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $27 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion. Navigating primarily via I-435, State Line Road, and US-50, you will find the transition between these two points to be efficient and predictable. If you are looking for a practical way to cross the state without unnecessary detours, this route provides a reliable connection. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a steady pace over a complex, multi-day itinerary.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

88.5 miles from Leawood, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 165.2 mi 3h 2m
I 435 6.8 mi 7m
State Line Road 1.3 mi 2m
Lee Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
East Broadway Street 0.7 mi 1m
East 4th Street 0.5 mi 2m
West 95th Street 0.4 mi <1m
North High Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 165.2 mi, about 3h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leawood, KS and Newton, 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 83 Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 50

95 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US 50
Toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita Use the slight left lane.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
10

Enter roundabout

433 ft · 5 sec
11

Continue

0.2 mi · 11 sec
12

Enter roundabout onto US 50

33 ft · 0 sec · US 50
13

Continue on US 50

43 mi · 50 min · US 50
Use the straight lane.
14

Enter roundabout onto US 50

197 ft · 8 sec · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
15

Continue on US 50

25 mi · 30 min · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 50
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward First Street, Broadway Street Use the slight right lane.
18

Enter roundabout onto East Broadway Street

18 ft · 0 sec · East Broadway Street
19

Continue on East Broadway Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Broadway Street
20

Turn left onto North High Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · North High Street
21

Turn right onto East 4th Street

0.5 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street
22

At end of road, turn right onto KS 15

146 ft · 6 sec · North Main Street
23

Arrive at destination

KS 15

Trip Plan

Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With only one recommended stop planned for the 177-mile distance, try to time your break to coincide with the conclusion of the long 165.2-mile segment on US-50 to stretch your legs effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the Leawood area, as the $27 estimate assumes steady highway driving conditions. Given the high percentage of highway time, ensure your vehicle is prepared for sustained speeds to make the 3-hour and 22-minute duration as comfortable as possible. Prioritizing this single stop will help you maintain your momentum while ensuring you arrive in Newton feeling refreshed.

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 88.5 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 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 39 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.5 miles or 1h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newton, 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 177 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 165.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Osage City, KS

89 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

Lenexa, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Osage City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.5 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 US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.2 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

Café Provence

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Prairie Village, Kansas

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+19133845998

Visit website

Caffetteria Modern Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Prairie Village, Kansas

2.5 mi

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

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

Yafa Cafe Mediterranean Cuisines and Catering

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.6

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133874623

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.6

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19135993111

Visit website

Holy Land Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.6

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19133109911

Visit website

New Cafe 40

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.6

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19132328520

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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 175.2 — 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
173.7 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | US 50

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wi...
7
175.2 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

Take the exit toward First Street, Broadway Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward First Street, Broadway Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.67 one way

$55.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.38 $60.77
premium $4.89 $34.06 $68.12
diesel $5.61 $39.08 $78.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.1 0 $18.59 $8.50
Efficient EV 44.3 0 $15.49 $7.08
EV Truck/SUV 70.8 0 $24.78 $11.33

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Leawood, KS

Night in Leawood on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newton, KS

Night in Newton on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°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

21 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

3h 22m 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 trip is defined by its efficiency, with 97% of your time spent on highways. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm early on, as the route features a significant 165.2-mile stretch exclusively on US-50. The road's personality is functional and fast, minimizing technical maneuvering in favor of steady cruising through the Great Plains. Because the drive is dominated by these major arteries, the scenery remains consistent, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without the distraction of frequent turns or complex navigation. Expect a smooth, straightforward experience behind the wheel that prioritizes time management over winding backroads.

97% 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: 165.2 mi on US 50.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and I 435. You will hit about 17 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 177 miles you will encounter 17 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,447 ft 942 ft

Total Climb

616 ft

Total Descent

112 ft

Highest Point

1,447 ft

~177 mi in

Elevation Range

504 ft

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 Newton, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.

Des Moines

9.5 mi in | ~14m | via US 50

About the Cities

Arriving in Newton, KS

Full guide →

Newton is a city in Harvey County, Kansas.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 177 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Newton, 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 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Newton, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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