Embarking on a journey from Lenexa, Kansas to Rossville, Kansas covers 78.6 miles and is estimated to take about 1 hour and 33 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for exploring the Great Plains region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, characterized by frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. Prepare for a direct and practical drive through familiar Kansas landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Lenexa, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
KS 10
36.7 mi
40m
Kansas Turnpike
14.3 mi
14m
US 24
13.4 mi
18m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8.4 mi
10m
Addy Westgate Memorial Bridge
1.6 mi
1m
I 35
0.9 mi
<1m
Lenexa Drive
0.3 mi
1m
West 95th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
KS 10
— 36.7 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenexa, KS and Rossville, 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
0.9 mi·59 sec·I 35; US 56; US 169
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 222BToward I 435 West, KS 10 WestUse 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: LawrenceUse 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, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 24 West: ManhattanUse the sharp right lane.
20
Merge onto US 24
13 mi·18 min·US 24
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Main Street
276 ft·13 sec·Main Street
22
Turn sharp right onto East Anderson Street
257 ft·11 sec·East Anderson Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Anderson Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart Lenexa, KS at your leisure. Since there are no designated stops provided and the drive is under 80 miles, you likely won't need extended breaks, though planning for a quick stop to stretch your legs is always wise. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the "Turn-heavy local drive" means paying close attention to upcoming turns. The $12 fuel cost is minimal, but ensure you start with adequate fuel for this local road-focused journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.3 miles from Lenexa, KS, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rossville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lenexa, KS
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lenexa, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on KS 10 for about 36.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 53.6 — 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
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.29 one way
$24.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.49
$26.98
premium
$4.89
$15.13
$30.25
diesel
$5.61
$17.35
$34.71
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.88
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Lenexa, KS
Night
in Lenexa on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rossville, KS
Night
in Rossville on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
20 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
1h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is defined by its "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you’ll be navigating numerous intersections and changes in direction. With a 0% highway share, expect to be on local roads like Rosehill Road, Lenexa Drive, and West 95th Street for the entire 78.6 miles. There isn't a "longest stretch" of uninterrupted driving due to the nature of this local road network. This drive is about engaging with the local road system, offering a more connected experience to the communities you pass through.
83% 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: 36.7 mi on KS 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KS 10 and Kansas Turnpike. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 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 2.5 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.
On the drive from Lenexa, KS to Rossville, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on KS 10. 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.
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 Rossville, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rossville, KS before heading back.
