Spanning 172.3 miles across the Kansas Great Plains, this drive from Newton to Overland Park is a straightforward journey typically taking about 3 hours and 16 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a manageable one-day trip, requiring no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing I-35 and US-50, you move smoothly between these two points without unnecessary detours. Whether you are traveling for business or a weekend visit, the straightforward nature of the route makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
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
86.1 miles from Newton, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
97.2 mi
1h 40m
US 50
69 mi
1h 21m
West 87th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi
2m
East Broadway Street
1.1 mi
3m
I 135
0.5 mi
<1m
North Oak Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Valley View Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 97.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, KS and Overland Park, 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 33Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
9
Enter roundabout onto US 50
213 ft·9 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
10
Continue on US 50
43 mi·50 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
11
Enter roundabout
364 ft·4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
12
Continue
0.2 mi·10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
13
Enter roundabout
30 ft·0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
14
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
15
Merge onto I 35
95 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 35
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
2.6 mi·2 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 225Toward 75th Street, 87th Street ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 225AToward 87th Street ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto West 87th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West 87th Street
20
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Santa Fe Drive
21
Turn right onto Newton Street
515 ft·29 sec·Newton Street
22
Turn left onto Valley View Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·Valley View Drive
23
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
267 ft·15 sec·Overland Park Drive
24
Turn right onto West 81st Street
232 ft·11 sec·West 81st Street
25
Turn right
134 ft·9 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your plans, though hitting the road early helps avoid potential congestion near the destination. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, consistent highway stretches can lead to fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Newton, as prices can fluctuate as you head toward the metropolitan area. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps updated, as traffic flow can change significantly once you transition from I-35 to West 87th Street in Overland Park.
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 86.1 miles from Newton, KS, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.2 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.1 miles or 1h 43m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, 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.
+
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 Newton, KS
This is one driving day of about 172.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Newton, 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 97.2 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 0.1 and 169.1 — 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
6
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
8
168.9 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward 75th Street, 87th Street 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 225
Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
9
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225A
Toward 87th Street Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.94 one way
$53.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.58
$59.15
premium
$4.89
$33.16
$66.32
diesel
$5.61
$38.04
$76.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.7
0
$18.09
$8.27
Efficient EV
43.1
0
$15.08
$6.89
EV Truck/SUV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Newton, KS
Late night
in Newton on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Overland Park, KS
Late night
in Overland Park on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 14 mph0% 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
11 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
3h 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 97% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The personality of the drive is defined by a 97.2-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-35, allowing for steady progress through the landscape. You will transition from the quieter stretches near Newton into the more heavily traveled corridors approaching Overland Park. While the route is predominantly an interstate grind, the shift from rural plains to the more developed suburbs of the Kansas City area is the most notable change in scenery. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and direct navigation.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.2 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 50. You will hit about 19 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 Effort5/10
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 172.3 miles you will encounter 19 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 71.3 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 Newton, KS and Overland Park, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Overland Park is a city in northeastern Kansas within the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a melting-pot of both urban and suburban living. With 197,000 residents (2020), it is one of the most affluent cities in the U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 172.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.2 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 71.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Overland Park, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
