Origin
Oakley, KS
Evening in Oakley on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakley, KS to Lenexa, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
348.7 mi
561 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 11m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakley, KS
Tien Nguyen
Lenexa, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 348.4-mile journey from Oakley, KS to Lenexa, KS is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving, making it a more hands-on experience. Expect to spend around $53 on fuel for this trip. The route traverses the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. With just one recommended stop, this drive is well-suited for a focused day trip where you can maintain a steady pace.
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
174.3 miles from Oakley, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 199.9 mi | 3h 19m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 90.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| South Lawrence Trafficway | 35.4 mi | 38m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 14 mi | 14m |
| Eagle Eye | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| US 83 | 1 mi | 1m |
| I 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| US Highway 83 Bypass | 0.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 199.9 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakley, KS and Lenexa, KS.
1
Start on US Highway 83 Bypass
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 83 Bypass
2
Turn left onto US 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 83
3
Turn left onto US 40; US 83
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Eagle Eye
4
Take the ramp onto US 40
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 40
5
Merge onto I 70; US 40
199 mi
·
3 hr 18 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Continue on I 70; US 40
75 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
10
Continue on I 70
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 197
Toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
12
Turn right onto KS 10
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South Lawrence Trafficway
13
Take the exit
391 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 224
Toward 95th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft
·
7 sec
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Use the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
189 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 95th Street
21
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lenexa Drive
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
500 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rosehill Road
23
Turn right
71 ft
·
10 sec
24
Turn left
256 ft
·
18 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Oakley, KS, to avoid any potential traffic as you approach Lenexa, KS. Given the local road nature of this 348.4-mile trip, plan for a flexible stop schedule rather than a rigid one. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $53 estimated cost suggests you'll need to refuel at least once. Pay close attention to road signs, especially with the 'turn-heavy' profile, to ensure you stay on track.
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 174.3 miles from Oakley, KS, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.9 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 77 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.3 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenexa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakley, 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 Oakley, KS
This is one driving day of about 348.7 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Oakley, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 199.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.3 miles from Oakley, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 199.9 miles.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 344.6 and 348.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
344.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
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 I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines,...
8
344.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
8
345.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
7
346.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Des Moines
9
348.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.52 one way
$109.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $59.86 | $119.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $67.10 | $134.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.99 | $153.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)
$0.70
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
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.61 | $16.74 |
| Efficient EV | 87.2 | 0 | $30.51 | $13.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.5 | 1 | $48.82 | $22.32 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lenexa, KS
Evening in Lenexa on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Manhattan, KS
174 mi in
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
12 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
6h 1m 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.
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,...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 288.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 'profile.' With a 0% highway share, you'll be on smaller roads for the entire 348.4 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, suggesting frequent changes in direction or speed. This kind of driving typically involves more attention to navigation and road conditions, so keep that in mind as you plan your time behind the wheel.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 344.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 348.7 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 344.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oakley, KS and Lenexa, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Lawrence.
Kansas City
294 mi in
|
~4h 58m
|
via I 70
Lawrence
308.7 mi in
|
~5h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 348.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.70 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.
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.
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 Lenexa, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 344.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 345.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lenexa, KS before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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