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Trip from Newton, KS to Arkansas City, KS

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

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

87.6 mi

141 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

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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city in and county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States

Newton, KS

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States

Arkansas City, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a straightforward trip through the Kansas Great Plains, the 87.6-mile journey from Newton to Arkansas City is a practical choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes the Kansas Turnpike, KS 15, and East 160th Street South to connect these two points. Expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. This drive is perfectly suited for those who prefer a direct, highway-focused route without the need for multiple stops. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you will enjoy a consistent, familiar landscape throughout the entire duration of your travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.8 miles from Newton, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kansas Turnpike 37.6 mi 37m
KS 15 30.7 mi 35m
East 160th Street South 16.1 mi 24m
Washington Road 0.9 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.5 mi 2m
West Central Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
South Kansas Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
West Washington Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 37.6 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newton, KS and Arkansas City, KS.

1

Start on KS 15

65 ft · 30 sec · North Main Street
2

Continue on KS 15

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
3

Turn straight onto KS 15

0.9 mi · 1 min · Washington Road
4

Continue on KS 15

0.3 mi · 43 sec · South Kansas Avenue
5

Take the ramp onto KS 15

0.5 mi · 1 min · KS 15
Toward US 50 East, KS 15 South: Wichita, Emporia
6

Keep slight right at fork onto KS 15

30 mi · 34 min · KS 15
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, KS 15 South: Wichita Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City
8

Merge onto I 35

38 mi · 37 min · Kansas Turnpike
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 4 Toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven Use the slight right lane.
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 166

16 mi · 24 min · East 160th Street South
11

Turn left onto South 8th Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · South 8th Street
12

Turn right onto West Washington Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · West Washington Avenue
13

Turn left onto South 4th Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · South 4th Street
14

Turn right onto West Central Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · West Central Avenue
15

Turn right

120 ft · 8 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily power through the 87.6 miles in one sitting. However, it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before heading out to keep your costs near the $13 estimate. Keep a close eye on your GPS when navigating the transitions between the Kansas Turnpike and the local segments of KS 15. Taking advantage of the daylight hours will provide you with the best visibility as you navigate the transition from highway speeds to the secondary roads leading into Arkansas City.

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 43.8 miles from Newton, KS, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.6 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 19 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.8 miles or 52m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkansas City, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Newton, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Newton, KS

This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Newton, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 37.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Haysville, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Haysville, KS

44 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Wichita, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belle Plaine, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Newton, 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.

El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43.8

Mulvane, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13163589273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 25

Wichita, KS

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.1

Belle Plaine, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 25

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Great Plains Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 25

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13166835499

Visit website

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 1.7 and 70.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | KS 15

Take the ramp onto KS 15 toward US 50 East, KS 15 South: Wichita, Emporia

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50 East, KS 15 South: Wichita, Empori...
8
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | KS 15

Keep slight right at fork onto KS 15 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, KS 15 South: Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, KS 15 South: W...
5
32.3 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City
8
70.3 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven

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 4 Toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Have...
5
70.5 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | US 166 / East 160th Street South

At end of road, turn left onto US 166 / East 160th Street South

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.70 one way

$27.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.04 $30.07
premium $4.89 $16.86 $33.72
diesel $5.61 $19.34 $38.68

Estimated Tolls: $1.88

Kansas Turnpike (37.6 mi) $1.88

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

$14

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.3 0 $9.20 $4.20
Efficient EV 21.9 0 $7.66 $3.50
EV Truck/SUV 35 0 $12.26 $5.61

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Newton, KS

Late night in Newton on Sunday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arkansas City, KS

Late night in Arkansas City on Sunday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of this journey is spent on major roads. The drive offers a steady pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.6 miles along the Kansas Turnpike. You will encounter a mix of fast-moving interstate segments followed by transitions onto state highways like KS 15. The road maintains a consistent personality, favoring efficiency and speed over technical twists or turns. Behind the wheel, you will find the journey to be predictable and low-stress, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm as you move across the plains.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.6 mi on Kansas Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and KS 15. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near KS 15.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (KS 15): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (KS 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Newton, KS to Arkansas City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Haven along the way.

Haven

70.3 mi in | ~1h 18m

About the Cities

Starting in Newton, KS

Full guide →

Newton is a city in Harvey County, Kansas.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 37.6 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.88 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. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (KS 15): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (KS 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arkansas City, KS before heading back.

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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