This 210.8-mile drive from Lenexa, Kansas, to Conway Springs, Kansas, will take you about 3 hours and 55 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it's primarily a highway-focused journey. You'll mainly travel on I-35, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, and State Highway 42. With 86% of the drive on highways, expect a consistent pace. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. This route stays within the Great Plains region, so you'll experience its characteristic open landscapes throughout.
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
105.4 miles from Lenexa, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
171.6 mi
2h 54m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.4 mi
14m
State Highway 42
8.7 mi
15m
West Southwest Boulevard
7.7 mi
9m
North Conway Springs Road
5.5 mi
9m
I 235
1.6 mi
1m
West Cessna Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Grice Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 171.6 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~751 veh/hr typical
· worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
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 Lenexa, KS and Conway Springs, 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
8.7 mi·15 min·State Highway 42
20
Turn left onto KS 49
0.7 mi·1 min·Grice Street
21
Continue on KS 49
0.3 mi·28 sec·South 263rd Street West
22
Continue on KS 49
5.5 mi·9 min·North Conway Springs Road
23
Continue on KS-49
0.4 mi·39 sec·North 5th Street
24
Turn right onto Spring Avenue
322 ft·14 sec·Spring Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Spring Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 55-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion from Lenexa to Conway Springs. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, especially before embarking on the longest 171.6-mile stretch on I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway services can sometimes be spread out in this region. The estimated fuel cost of $33 is a helpful budget point for your planning.
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 105.4 miles from Lenexa, KS, or about 1h 50m 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 46 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m
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 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 210.8 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 13
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
$31.13 one way
$62.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.37
$68.73
premium
$4.72
$39.14
$78.28
diesel
$4.80
$39.80
$79.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.43
EV Truck/SUV
84.3
1
$29.51
$13.49
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Lenexa, KS
Late night
in Lenexa on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Conway Springs, KS
Late night
in Conway Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 8 mph15% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 210.8-mile route, with 86% of your travel occurring on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 171.6 miles on I-35, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent travel. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of State Highway 42 suggests a potential shift in scenery and pace as you approach your destination. This profile generally offers efficient travel with fewer local road complexities for most of the journey.
86% 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 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 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 210.8 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: 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 3h 55m. Total distance: 210.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m 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 171.6 miles on I 35. 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.
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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Conway Springs, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
