Origin
Lenexa, KS
Night in Lenexa on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lenexa, KS to Gypsum, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
176.7 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Gypsum, KS
Jimmy Nilsson Masth
Trip Overview
Lenexa, KS to Gypsum, KS is 176.7 miles and takes about 3h 17m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and KS 10, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Kansas. Expect a route that involves a good amount of turning, so keep your navigation handy. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short driving time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or transit.
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
88.3 miles from Lenexa, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 91.3 mi | 1h 33m |
| KS 10 | 36.7 mi | 40m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14.3 mi | 14m |
| 600 Avenue | 12.2 mi | 16m |
| Gulf Road | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Eisenhower Memorial Highway | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| North Buckeye Avenue | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenexa, KS and Gypsum, 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: Wichita
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 222B
Toward I 435 West, KS 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on KS 10
37 mi
·
40 min
·
KS 10
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge onto I 70
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 70
91 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 275
Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto KS 15
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Buckeye Avenue
19
Continue on KS 15
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
20
Continue on KS 15
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf Road
21
Continue on KS 15
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22
Turn right onto KS 4
12 mi
·
16 min
·
600 Avenue
23
Continue on KS 4
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Maple Street
24
Turn left onto West 5th Street
126 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 5th Street
25
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m duration, departing from Lenexa in the morning will comfortably get you to Gypsum with plenty of daylight remaining. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to leave a little later if needed. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $28; it's always wise to top off before heading out on any drive, especially one with a significant stretch on local roads where services might be less frequent than on interstates.
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 88.3 miles from Lenexa, KS, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 88.3 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gypsum, 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 176.7 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 91.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from Lenexa, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 145.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
8
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 435 West, KS 10 West
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 222B
Toward I 435 West, KS 10 West
7
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence
8
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
8
145.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 275
Toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.63 one way
$55.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.33 | $60.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.00 | $68.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.01 | $78.03 |
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 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 | 0 | $18.55 | $8.48 |
| Efficient EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.46 | $7.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.74 | $11.31 |
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.
Destination
Gypsum, KS
Night in Gypsum on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
19 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
3h 17m 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 route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter more intersections and changes in direction than a typical interstate cruise. While 29% of the drive utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 91.3 miles on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more active navigation and less of a monotonous highway grind.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.3 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 176.7 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lenexa, KS and Gypsum, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Clay Center.
Salina
53.6 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 70
Clay Center
145.8 mi in
|
~2h 35m
About the Cities
Starting in Lenexa, KS
Full guide →Lenexa is a city in Eastern 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 17m. Total distance: 176.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 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.
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 Gypsum, 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Gypsum, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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