Spanning 244.8 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, this drive from Lenexa to Attica typically takes about 4 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Given the total duration, you can comfortably handle this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will rely primarily on I-35, KS-2, and State Highway 42 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an accessible trip for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. Because both locations are situated within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. This route is designed for efficiency, so it serves well as a straightforward road trip if you have a full day to dedicate to the road.
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
122.4 miles from Lenexa, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
171.6 mi
2h 54m
KS 2
17.7 mi
31m
State Highway 42
17.3 mi
30m
US 160
13.5 mi
20m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.4 mi
14m
West Southwest Boulevard
7.7 mi
9m
I 235
1.6 mi
1m
West Cessna Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 171.6 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenexa, KS and Attica, KS.
1
Start on this road
256 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn right
71 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft·21 sec·Rosehill Road
4
Turn right onto Lenexa Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·Lenexa Drive
5
Continue on Lenexa Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Lenexa Drive
6
Turn right onto West 95th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·West 95th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 56 West, US 169 South: WichitaUse the straight / left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
1.7 mi·1 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 35; US 50; US 56; US 169
37 mi·39 min·I 35; US 50; US 56; US 169
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; US 50; US 59
133 mi·2 hr 13 min·I 35; US 50; US 59
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 53AToward US 54, US 400
12
Merge onto US 54; US 400
11 mi·14 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 235 SouthUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 235
1.6 mi·1 min·I 235
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward KS 42
16
Turn right onto KS 42
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Southwest Boulevard
17
Continue on KS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·West Cessna Boulevard
18
Continue on KS 42
7.2 mi·9 min·West Southwest Boulevard
19
Continue on KS 42
17 mi·30 min·State Highway 42
20
Turn left onto KS 2
18 mi·31 min·KS 2
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 160; KS 2
1.1 mi·1 min·East 14th Street
22
Turn left onto US 160; KS 2
3.0 mi·4 min·US 160; KS 2
23
Turn right onto US 160
10 mi·15 min·US 160
24
Turn left onto North Main Street
116 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-five-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving early helps avoid potential traffic near the Lenexa area. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the longest segment of 171.6 miles on I-35 can be taxing if you stay behind the wheel for the entire duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the final transition to State Highway 42, as services may become less frequent once you leave the interstate system. Because you are traversing 244.8 miles in one day, packing your own snacks and drinks will help you maintain a steady pace without unnecessary detours. Staying mindful of the 91% highway share will help you manage your expectations regarding road types as you head toward Attica.
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 122.4 miles from Lenexa, KS, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.6 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 54 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.4 miles or 2h 7m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Attica, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lenexa, 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 Lenexa, KS
This is one driving day of about 244.8 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Lenexa, 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 I 35 for about 171.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 184.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Lenexa Drive
Turn right onto Lenexa Drive
Navigation decision point
7
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35 South, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wi...
6
172.4 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
184.3 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$38.27 one way
$76.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.02
$84.04
premium
$4.89
$47.11
$94.22
diesel
$5.61
$54.05
$108.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.70
$11.75
Efficient EV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
EV Truck/SUV
97.9
1
$34.27
$15.67
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Lenexa, KS
Night
in Lenexa on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 to 15 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 12 at 2:34AM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Destination
Attica, KS
Night
in Attica on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Rain Showers
S 16 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 12 at 2:34AM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
76°F
Eureka, KS
122 mi in
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
2 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 51m 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?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm early on, tackling a 171.6-mile stretch along I-35 before transitioning onto KS-2 and State Highway 42. While the initial portion of the drive offers the predictable pace of an interstate, the final segments shift toward state highways, which may require more focus than the long, uninterrupted stretches. Expect a relatively consistent driving experience that prioritizes direct transit over technical or winding mountain roads. By the time you reach the final leg of your 244.8-mile journey, you will have experienced the full transition from the major interstate corridors to the quieter, regional state highways of Kansas.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171.6 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and KS 2. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 244.8 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Lenexa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 244.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.6 miles on I 35. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Lenexa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Attica, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
