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Trip from Meade, KS to Shawnee, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 47m

Distance

366.5 mi

590 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 34m ★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Meade, KS, KS

Meade, KS

Tien Nguyen

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Shawnee, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 366.5-mile journey from Meade, Kansas, to Shawnee, Kansas, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, this trip is budget-friendly. It's designed as a single-day adventure, so you can comfortably reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Expect a turn-heavy local drive, making it an engaging way to traverse the state.

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

183.3 miles from Meade, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
The Yellow Brick Road — —
West Front Street — —
West Kansas Avenue — —
Cannonball Stageline — —
West 1st Street — —
D Avenue — —
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway — —
I 35 — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: The Yellow Brick Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Meade, KS and Shawnee, KS.

1

Start on West Carthage Street

0.6 mi · 42 sec · West Carthage Street
2

Continue on The Yellow Brick Road

21 mi · 23 min · The Yellow Brick Road
3

Continue on West Front Street

0.7 mi · 49 sec · West Front Street
4

Continue on The Yellow Brick Road

41 mi · 46 min · The Yellow Brick Road
5

Continue on West Kansas Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Kansas Avenue
6

Continue on Cannonball Stageline

29 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
7

Continue on West 1st Street

3.1 mi · 6 min · West 1st Street
8

Continue on Cannonball Stageline

31 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
9

Continue on D Avenue

2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
10

Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

50 mi · 57 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11

Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City

449 ft · 11 sec · I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
12

Keep slight left

0.9 mi · 1 min
13

Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Kansas Turnpike
14

Keep slight right

95 mi · 1 hr 38 min
15

Continue on I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
16

Merge slight right

2.7 mi · 3 min
17

Take the exit slight right toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
18

Keep slight left to continue on Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee

105 ft · 4 sec · Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
19

Turn left onto Shawnee Mission Parkway

1.2 mi · 2 min · Shawnee Mission Parkway
20

Turn right onto Nieman Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Nieman Road
21

Turn left onto West 49th Terrace

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 49th Terrace
22

Turn right onto Bond Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Bond Street
23

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

This 5 hour and 47 minute drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to depart at your leisure. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $56, it's an economical trip. The turn-heavy nature of this route means paying close attention to navigation, especially as you transition between local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have longer distances between services compared to major highways.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.3 miles from Meade, KS, or about 2h 53m into the drive.

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 81 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 183.3 miles or 2h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, 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 366.5 miles and 5h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Peabody, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peabody, KS

183 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.

Popular next leg

Peabody, KS to Shawnee, KS

158.9 mi · 2h 57m

Pacing Suggestions

Hutchinson, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peabody, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 183.3 miles from Meade, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chuck Wagon Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meade, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16208732414

Bob's Drive-In Hamburger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meade, Kansas

0.5 mi

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shawnee, Kansas

1.3 mi

Chuck Wagon Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Meade, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16208732414

Bob's Drive-In Hamburger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Meade, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16208732862

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 366.5

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

The Restaurant KC

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 366.5

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19134997456

Visit website

Fronteras Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 366.5

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19139621369

Visit website

Paraiso Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.2

Minneola, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16208854748

Jose Pepper's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 366.5

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19136311011

Visit website

Holy Land Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 366.5

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19133109911

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 183.3

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 183.3

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 183.3

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.30 one way

$114.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $62.91 $125.82
premium $4.89 $70.53 $141.06
diesel $5.61 $80.92 $161.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 110 1 $38.48 $17.59
Efficient EV 91.6 1 $32.07 $14.66
EV Truck/SUV 146.6 1 $51.31 $23.46

Gas CO2

128 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Meade, KS

Evening in Meade on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shawnee, KS

Evening in Shawnee on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Peabody, KS

183 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

13 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

5h 47m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a turn-heavy local drive with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating primarily on local roads like The Yellow Brick Road, West Front Street, and West Kansas Avenue. Without any significant highway stretches, you can anticipate a more intimate connection with the landscape and communities you pass through. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, suggesting frequent turns and potential for more frequent stops. Be prepared for a driving experience that is less about speed and more about the journey itself.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: The Yellow Brick Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 47m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Meade, KS to Shawnee, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 366.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Meade, KS to Shawnee, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shawnee, KS before the return drive.

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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