Moundridge to Leavenworth is 199.6 miles and takes about 3h 44m via Kansas Turnpike and US 50, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Kansas to another. Expect a largely highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward transit. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
99.8 miles from Moundridge, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
96 mi
1h 36m
US 50
69 mi
1h 21m
K-7
15.5 mi
23m
I 135
14.3 mi
14m
Arrowhead Road
1.1 mi
1m
Spruce Street
0.6 mi
1m
Cole Street
0.5 mi
1m
I 35
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 96 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moundridge, KS and Leavenworth, KS.
1
Start on Cole Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Cole Street
2
Continue on Arrowhead Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
4
Merge onto I 135; US 81
13 mi·13 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
0.4 mi·24 sec·I 135; US 50; US 81
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward First Street, Broadway StreetUse the slight right lane.
7
Enter roundabout
412 ft·8 sec
8
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
9
Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81
0.5 mi·30 sec·I 135; US 50; US 81
10
Take the exit onto US 50
26 mi·31 min·US 50
Exit 33Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
11
Enter roundabout onto US 50
213 ft·9 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
12
Continue on US 50
43 mi·50 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
13
Enter roundabout
364 ft·4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
14
Continue
0.2 mi·10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
15
Enter roundabout
440 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
16
Continue
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
17
Merge onto I 35
0.1 mi·10 sec·I 35
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 335 North: Topeka, Kansas City
19
Merge onto I 335
96 mi·1 hr 36 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 224Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, LeavenworthUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft·13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: LansingUse the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi·23 min·K-7
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
24
Turn right
277 ft·20 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 44m drive, consider an early morning departure from Moundridge to avoid any potential midday traffic. The route is efficient enough that you can complete it in one day, so flexibility with your schedule is key. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 96-mile stretch on the Kansas Turnpike where services might be less frequent. Plan for your single recommended stop to be a quick stretch or refuel to maximize your time.
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 99.8 miles from Moundridge, KS, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.8 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moundridge, 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 Moundridge, KS
This is one driving day of about 199.6 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Moundridge, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 96 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 15.7 and 183.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward First Street, Broadway Street
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 First Street, Broadway Street
6
16.8 mi into trip|~18m in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 33
Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
7
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Enter roundabout toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South: Wichita, Topeka
8
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
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 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
183.4 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.21 one way
$62.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.26
$68.52
premium
$4.89
$38.41
$76.82
diesel
$5.61
$44.07
$88.14
Estimated Tolls: $4.80
Kansas Turnpike
(96 mi)$4.80
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
$31
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.9
0
$20.96
$9.58
Efficient EV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.98
EV Truck/SUV
79.8
0
$27.94
$12.77
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Moundridge, KS
Late night
in Moundridge on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Leavenworth, KS
Late night
in Leavenworth on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live 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
19 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
3h 44m 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,...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 137.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 199.6 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 96 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, offering continuous cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur as you near your destination, indicated by a decrease in highway percentage. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and relatively frequent exits on the main highway sections.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 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 19 significant decision points across 199.6 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 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. 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 Moundridge, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Emporia, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas.
Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 199.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.80 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 4 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 Leavenworth, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Leavenworth, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
