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Trip from Newton, KS to Junction 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 48m

Distance

87 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

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 and county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States

Junction City, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Newton to Junction City, you are looking at a straightforward 87-mile trek across the Kansas Great Plains. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a combination of US 56, US 50, and US 77 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting roughly $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Because this route is entirely contained within the Kansas plains, you can expect a consistent, regional landscape throughout your travels. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing, perfect for travelers who want to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

43.5 miles from Newton, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 56 46.4 mi 54m
US 50 26.2 mi 31m
US 77 8.8 mi 10m
South Washington Street 1.6 mi 4m
East Broadway Street 1.1 mi 3m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 1.1 mi 1m
I 135 0.5 mi <1m
US 40 Business 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 56 — 46.4 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on KS 15

286 ft · 16 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn right onto East 5th Street

391 ft · 17 sec · East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on North Oak Street

0.2 mi · 47 sec · North Oak Street
4

Turn right onto East Broadway Street

1.1 mi · 3 min · East Broadway Street
5

Enter roundabout

330 ft · 6 sec
6

Continue

0.3 mi · 33 sec
7

Merge onto I 135; US 50; US 81

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 135; US 50; US 81
8

Take the exit onto US 50

26 mi · 31 min · US 50
Exit 33 Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
9

Enter roundabout onto US 77

314 ft · 13 sec · US 77
Toward US 77 North: Junction City
10

Continue on US 77

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 77
Toward US 77 North: Junction City
11

Enter roundabout onto US 56; US 77

172 ft · 3 sec · US 56; US 77
12

Continue on US 56; US 77

19 mi · 22 min · US 56; US 77
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 77

27 mi · 31 min · US 56; US 77
14

Take the ramp onto KS 18

0.2 mi · 29 sec · KS 18
15

Merge onto I 70; US 40; KS 18

1.1 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16

Take the exit onto US 40 Business

0.2 mi · 33 sec · US 40 Business
Toward US 40 Business
17

Turn left onto US 40 Business

471 ft · 9 sec · South Washington Street
18

Enter roundabout onto US 40 Business

134 ft · 2 sec · South Washington Street
19

Continue on US 40 Business

1.5 mi · 3 min · South Washington Street
20

Turn left onto West 6th Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · West 6th Street
21

Turn right onto North Jefferson Street

130 ft · 5 sec · North Jefferson Street
22

Arrive at destination

North Jefferson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily complete the trip in one go, though checking your fuel levels before leaving Newton is a smart move to ensure a smooth transition onto the highway. Keep an eye on your speed as you switch between US 56, US 50, and US 77, as traffic patterns can shift at junctions. Because the longest leg lasts over 46 miles, be prepared for an extended period of focus without many opportunities to pull off the road. Taking this drive during daylight hours is recommended to make the most of the open visibility provided by the Kansas landscape.

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 43.5 miles from Newton, KS, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 43.5 miles or 54m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Junction 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 miles and 1h 48m.

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 US 56 for about 46.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Herington, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Herington, 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

Peabody, KS

Fuel and coffee

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

Herington, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.5 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 86.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 5th Street

Turn right onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m 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
5
28.4 mi into trip | ~36m in | US 77

Enter roundabout onto US 77 toward US 77 North: Junction City

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 77 North: Junction City
5
85.3 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | US 40 Business / South Washington Street

Enter roundabout onto US 40 Business / South Washington Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
86.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | North Jefferson Street

Turn right onto North Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.60 one way

$27.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.93 $29.87
premium $4.89 $16.74 $33.48
diesel $5.61 $19.21 $38.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.1 0 $9.13 $4.18
Efficient EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
EV Truck/SUV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 17, 2026

Origin

Newton, KS

Afternoon in Newton on Sunday

Local time

3:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 25 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 2:58AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 2:14AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

Destination

Junction City, KS

Afternoon in Junction City on Sunday

Local time

3:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 20 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 2:58AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 2:14AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM 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

4 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

1h 48m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

What kind of drive is this?

This journey is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with highways accounting for 95% of your time behind the wheel. You can settle into a steady rhythm, as the route features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.4 miles while traveling on US 56. The experience is undeniably highway-focused, offering a predictable and efficient driving environment rather than technical or winding backroads. As you transition between the US routes, the road maintains a consistent character suited for steady cruising. Expect to spend your time focused on the pavement ahead, enjoying the ease of high-speed travel across the open plains.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.4 mi on US 56.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 56 and US 50. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 5th Street.

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 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (East 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (US 77): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

About the Cities

Starting in Newton, KS

Full guide →

Newton is a city in Harvey County, Kansas.

Arriving in Junction City, KS

Full guide →

Junction City is the seat of Geary County, in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. It is a small city of around 23,000 people.

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 48m. Total distance: 87 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 46.4 miles on US 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.1 miles (East 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (US 77): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Junction 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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