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
180.3 miles from Meade, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
101.7 mi
1h 45m
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
Nieman Road
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~751 veh/hr typical
· worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Shawnee, 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
3.6 mi·4 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
2.7 mi·3 min·I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228BToward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
106 ft·4 sec
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, ShawneeUse the left lane.
19
Turn left onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.2 mi·2 min·Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Nieman Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Nieman Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
0.3 mi·1 min·West 49th Terrace
22
Turn right onto Bond Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Bond Street
23
Arrive at destination
Bond Street
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
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 180.3 miles from Meade, KS, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 79 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.3 miles or 3h 34m 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 36m
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 360.6 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 101.7 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 179.7 and 358.5 — 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.
8
357.1 mi into trip|~6h 35m in|US 56; US 69; US 169
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
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 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
357.2 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee
6
358.5 mi into trip|~6h 38m in|Nieman Road
Turn right onto Nieman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.25 one way
$106.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$58.79
$117.58
premium
$4.72
$66.95
$133.90
diesel
$4.80
$68.09
$136.18
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
$53
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.2
1
$37.86
$17.31
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.55
$14.42
EV Truck/SUV
144.2
1
$50.48
$23.08
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Meade, KS
Evening
in Meade on Saturday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Evening
in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Patchy Fog
SSW 7 mph6% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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
6h 43m 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 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.
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: 101.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 360.6 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 357.1 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,567 ft996 ft
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
1,671 ft
Highest Point
2,567 ft
~25.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,571 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 Shawnee, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Oklahoma City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 43m. Total distance: 360.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.7 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 Shawnee, 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 357.1 miles (US 56; US 69; US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
