Traveling from Manhattan to Lenexa covers 116.2 miles across the heart of the Kansas plains. Expect a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate a combination of the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the South Lawrence Trafficway, and the Kansas Turnpike to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trek. You won't need an overnight stay, as the distance is easily manageable in a single session.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
51.4 mi
53m
South Lawrence Trafficway
35.4 mi
38m
Kansas Turnpike
14 mi
14m
Pillsbury Drive
8.2 mi
9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi
1m
I 35
0.9 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 Lenexa, KS.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des MoinesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi·1 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 224Toward 95th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft·7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie CollegeUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft·3 sec·West 95th Street
24
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft·18 sec·Rosehill Road
26
Turn right
71 ft·10 sec
27
Turn left
256 ft·18 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 10-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 116.2-mile distance without needing formal stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $18 budget. Because the route relies on a specific sequence of the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, the South Lawrence Trafficway, and the Kansas Turnpike, keep your GPS active to handle the turns smoothly. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential commuter traffic as you approach Lenexa. Remember that the lack of required stops gives you the freedom to drive straight through, so pack your favorite playlist or podcast to enjoy the uninterrupted stretches.
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 58.1 miles from Manhattan, KS, or about 1h 4m 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 58.1 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, 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 116.2 miles and 2h 10m.
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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.1 and 115.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
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 35: Wichita, Des Moines
7
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.17 one way
$36.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.95
$39.89
premium
$4.89
$22.36
$44.72
diesel
$5.61
$25.66
$51.31
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.20
$5.58
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.17
$4.65
EV Truck/SUV
46.5
0
$16.27
$7.44
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
4:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Late night
in Lenexa on Tuesday
Local time
4:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Tecumseh, KS
58 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 10m 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?
This 116.2-mile journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your attention as you transition between different road types. While only 13% of the route consists of major highways, you will encounter a mix of fast-paced stretches and more technical local sections. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 51.4 miles along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, providing a steady rhythm before the road profile shifts. Be prepared for a variety of driving conditions as you move from the open plains toward the more developed outskirts of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The experience is less about a monotonous interstate grind and more about navigating the specific turn-heavy segments that define this local transit.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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?
10/10
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 112.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 116.2 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 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Topeka, Kansas City and Lawrence.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 116.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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 $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 Lenexa, 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 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Lenexa, KS before heading back.
