Meade, KS to Lenexa, KS is 353 miles and takes about 6h 32m via I 35 and Kansas Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, offering a straightforward drive across Kansas. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. Plan for a steady pace, as most of the driving is on well-maintained roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.5 miles from Meade, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
97 mi
1h 40m
Kansas Turnpike
74.7 mi
1h 14m
The Yellow Brick Road
61.7 mi
1h 10m
Cannonball Stageline
60.2 mi
1h 8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
49.7 mi
57m
West 1st Street
3.1 mi
6m
D Avenue
2.4 mi
5m
West Kansas Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 97 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~761 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,009
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meade, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on US 54; US 160
0.6 mi·42 sec·West Carthage Street
2
Continue on US 54; US 160
21 mi·23 min·The Yellow Brick Road
3
Continue on US 54
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Front Street
4
Continue on US 54
41 mi·46 min·The Yellow Brick Road
5
Continue on US 54; US 400
1.3 mi·2 min·West Kansas Avenue
6
Continue on US 54; US 400
29 mi·33 min·Cannonball Stageline
7
Continue on US 54; US 400
3.1 mi·6 min·West 1st Street
8
Continue on US 54; US 400
31 mi·35 min·Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 54; US 400
2.4 mi·5 min·D Avenue
10
Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14
50 mi·57 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 35
75 mi·1 hr 14 min·Kansas Turnpike
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
95 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 35
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
1.6 mi·1 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 224Toward 95th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft·7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie CollegeUse the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft·3 sec·West 95th Street
19
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft·18 sec·Rosehill Road
21
Turn right
71 ft·10 sec
22
Turn left
256 ft·18 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6.5-hour drive time, leaving Meade in the morning allows ample time to reach Lenexa before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing and duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97-mile stretch on I 35, as services can be spaced out. The Kansas Turnpike portion of this route may have tolls, so be prepared for that.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.5 miles from Meade, KS, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97 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 78 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.5 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
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 Meade, 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 Meade, KS
This is one driving day of about 353 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Meade, 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 I 35 for about 97 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 179.7 and 352.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
179.7 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City,...
6
255.4 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
352.4 mi into trip|~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward 95th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
9
352.5 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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...
5
352.8 mi into trip|~6h 31m in|Rosehill Road
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.73 one way
$109.46 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$60.01
$120.02
premium
$4.93
$68.49
$136.98
diesel
$5.60
$77.81
$155.63
Estimated Tolls: $3.74
Kansas Turnpike
(74.7 mi)$3.74
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
$55
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.94
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.89
$14.12
EV Truck/SUV
141.2
1
$49.42
$22.59
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Meade, KS
Late night
in Meade on Wednesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Sunny
S 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 1 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:49PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Late night
in Lenexa on Wednesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
SSW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 1 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:49PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
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
2 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
6h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 drive is 49% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates like I 35. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 97 miles on I 35, so expect extended periods of consistent driving before transitioning to surface roads. You'll notice the change from high-speed interstate cruising to a more varied pace as you approach your destination.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 179.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 353 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 179.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 352.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,564 ft997 ft
Total Climb
214 ft
Total Descent
1,681 ft
Highest Point
2,564 ft
~25.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,568 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meade, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Oklahoma City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 353 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.74 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.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 179.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 352.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lenexa, KS before the return drive.
