If you are planning a trip from Manhattan to Leavenworth, you are looking at a 114.3-mile journey across the Kansas Great Plains. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 59 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via local roads like Fremont Street, North Juliette Avenue, and Pierre Street rather than major interstates. Budgeting around $17 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Since the entire route remains within the same region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout your time behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Manhattan, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
51.4 mi
53m
Kansas Turnpike
40.4 mi
40m
K-7
15.5 mi
23m
Pillsbury Drive
8.2 mi
9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi
1m
Spruce Street
0.6 mi
1m
Pierre Street
0.4 mi
1m
North Juliette Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 51.4 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
Exit 224Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, LeavenworthUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft·13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: LansingUse the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi·23 min·K-7
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
18
Turn right
277 ft·20 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour trip with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, be prepared for slower travel times and stay alert for frequent turns. You won’t need to worry about long-distance planning or complex refueling stops, as the $17 fuel estimate is easily managed in a single go. To make your journey smoother, double-check your navigation before leaving, as the reliance on streets like Pierre and Juliette means you should pay close attention to local signage throughout the drive.
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 59.8 miles from Manhattan, KS, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 6m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS
This is one driving day of about 119.6 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Manhattan, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 51.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 103.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Pierre Street
Turn left onto Pierre Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
9.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I-70 East, Topeka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Topeka
6
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
8
102.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
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 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
103.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.70 one way
$37.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.53
$41.06
premium
$4.89
$23.02
$46.03
diesel
$5.61
$26.41
$52.81
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Kansas Turnpike
(40.4 mi)$2.02
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
$19
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.56
$5.74
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.74
$7.65
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Manhattan, KS
Morning
in Manhattan on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Leavenworth, KS
Morning
in Leavenworth on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Tecumseh, KS
60 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
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
2h 16m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation through town streets over the monotony of high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, this route offers a completely different experience than typical cross-country transit. You will be actively engaged with the road as you transition between local thoroughfares, so keep your focus on the turns rather than cruising on autopilot. Because the path is composed of local roads, the drive feels more like a series of connected segments than one long, uninterrupted stretch. It is a practical way to travel if you prefer avoiding major highway traffic.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.4 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Pierre Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 119.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.7 miles (Pierre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.5 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Manhattan, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Topeka and Kansas City.
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas.
Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 119.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.4 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.02 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 Leavenworth, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Pierre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.5 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Leavenworth, KS before heading back.
