Overland Park, KS to Atwood, KS is 404.2 miles and takes about 7h 17m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Kansas for its entirety. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major highways before transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day trip across the state with minimal complication.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
202.1 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
220.8 mi
3h 40m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi
1h 34m
Kansas Turnpike
51.8 mi
52m
South Range Avenue
30.5 mi
54m
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.7 mi
5m
Metcalf Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West 80th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 220.8 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~828 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,121
Quietest
2 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Overland Park, KS and Atwood, KS.
1
Start on this road
134 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West 81st Street
182 ft·12 sec·West 81st Street
3
Turn left onto Marty Street
482 ft·23 sec·Marty Street
4
Turn right onto West 80th Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·West 80th Street
5
Turn left onto Metcalf Avenue
3.8 mi·6 min·Metcalf Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635
4.7 mi·5 min·Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 4BToward I 70 West: TopekaUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
51 mi·51 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Given the 7h 17m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart Overland Park in the morning to allow ample time for stops and to arrive in Atwood before evening. With two recommended stops, plan to break up your drive roughly every 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services might be more spread out on the surface roads. This flexibility means you can adjust your stop times based on your needs.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 202.1 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.8 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 89 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.1 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwood, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Overland Park, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Overland Park, KS
This is one driving day of about 404.2 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Overland Park, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 220.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 59.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West 81st Street
Turn right onto West 81st Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Metcalf Avenue
Turn left onto Metcalf Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
4.1 mi into trip|~8m in|I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
8.8 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Topeka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
8
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
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-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.61 one way
$127.21 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.45
$138.89
premium
$4.73
$75.19
$150.38
diesel
$6.08
$96.79
$193.57
Estimated Tolls: $2.59
Kansas Turnpike
(51.8 mi)$2.59
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
$64
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.3
1
$42.44
$19.40
Efficient EV
101.1
1
$35.37
$16.17
EV Truck/SUV
161.7
2
$56.59
$25.87
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Overland Park, KS
Morning
in Overland Park on Saturday
Local time
10:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:58AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Destination
Atwood, KS
Morning
in Atwood on Saturday
Local time
10:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
N 10 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:58AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
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
7h 17m 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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 13% highway share, meaning most of your travel will be on surface roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 220.8 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before you transition to local roads. Expect a mix of rural cruising and navigating through towns as you make your way west. The shift from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 220.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 81st Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 404.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (West 81st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,160 ft826 ft
Total Climb
2,493 ft
Total Descent
719 ft
Highest Point
3,160 ft
~375.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,334 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Overland Park, KS and Atwood, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Leoti.
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.
Top landmarks
•Campbell Dome House — house in Overland Park, Kansas
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 404.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m 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 220.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.59 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 37 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 Atwood, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 81st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Metcalf Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 635 / Harry Darby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Atwood, KS before the return drive.
