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Trip from Manhattan, KS to Leawood, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

124.7 mi

201 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Riley and Pottawatomie counties in Kansas, United States, county seat of Riley County

Manhattan, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Leawood, KS, KS

Leawood, KS

Спиридон Варфаламеев

Trip Overview

Manhattan, KS to Leawood, KS is 124.7 miles and takes about 2h 21m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kansas, traversing the Great Plains region. While mostly on surface roads, it does incorporate some highway driving, offering a relatively straightforward trip. Expect a quick transition between different road types, making this a convenient option for a same-day excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.3 miles from Manhattan, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 51.4 mi 53m
South Lawrence Trafficway 36.5 mi 40m
Kansas Turnpike 14 mi 14m
Pillsbury Drive 8.2 mi 9m
I 435 8.2 mi 9m
State Line Road 1.5 mi 3m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 1.1 mi 1m
Lee Boulevard 0.7 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 Leawood, KS.

1

Start on Fremont Street

19 ft · 5 sec · Fremont Street
2

Turn right onto North 10th Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · North 10th Street
3

Turn left onto Leavenworth Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Leavenworth Street
4

Turn right onto North Juliette Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · North Juliette Avenue
5

Turn left onto Pierre Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Pierre Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on Pillsbury Drive

8.2 mi · 9 min · Pillsbury Drive
7

Continue on KS 177

0.2 mi · 18 sec · KS 177
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I-70 East, Topeka
9

Merge onto I 70; US 40

36 mi · 35 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
13

Continue on I 70

14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 197 Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
15

Turn right onto KS 10

36 mi · 40 min · South Lawrence Trafficway
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 435 East Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto I 435

8.2 mi · 9 min · I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 75B Toward State Line Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn left onto State Line Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · State Line Road
Use the left lane.
20

Turn left onto West 95th Street

0.4 mi · 57 sec · West 95th Street
21

Turn right onto Lee Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lee Boulevard
22

Turn left onto West 90th Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West 90th Street
23

Arrive at destination

West 90th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 1-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave Manhattan, KS in the morning to give yourself plenty of time to reach Leawood, KS. With a total drive time under 2.5 hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but consider a brief break around the halfway point if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $20, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longer highway sections.

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 62.3 miles from Manhattan, KS, or about 1h 9m 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 27 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leawood, 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 124.7 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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.

Downtown Reno, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Reno, KS

62 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

Newbury, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tecumseh, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Manhattan, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 121.6 — 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
7
113.1 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 435 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 435 East
7
121.6 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward State Line Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 75B Toward State Line Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.50 one way

$38.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.41 $42.81
premium $4.89 $24.00 $47.99
diesel $5.61 $27.53 $55.06

Estimated Tolls: $0.70

Kansas Turnpike (14 mi) $0.70

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

$20

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.4 0 $13.09 $5.99
Efficient EV 31.2 0 $10.91 $4.99
EV Truck/SUV 49.9 0 $17.46 $7.98

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Manhattan, KS

Late night in Manhattan on Tuesday

Local time

4:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Leawood, KS

Late night in Leawood on Tuesday

Local time

4:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Reno, KS

62 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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 21m 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?

Your drive will spend about 18% of its total mileage on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway covering 51.4 miles. After that highway segment, you'll transition to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your trip. You'll notice a change from highway cruising to navigating more local traffic and intersections as you approach your destination.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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?

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 0.7 miles in near Pierre Street.

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 16 significant decision points across 124.7 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 0.7 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 Leawood, KS, road signs point toward Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.

Topeka

9.6 mi in | ~13m

Kansas City

61.5 mi in | ~1h 8m | via I 70

Lawrence

76.2 mi in | ~1h 23m

About the Cities

Starting in Manhattan, KS

Full guide →

Manhattan is a college town in Kansas. It is the home of Kansas State University.

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 2h 21m. Total distance: 124.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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 $0.70 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 Leawood, 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Leawood, KS before heading back.

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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