Overland Park, KS to Dover, KS is 84.1 miles and takes about 1h 40m via Kansas Turnpike and KS 4, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily within the Great Plains region of Kansas. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to get between these two points. With its short duration and predictable nature, this route is ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
57.5 mi
58m
KS 4
9.6 mi
14m
Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.7 mi
5m
Southwest 29th Street
3.9 mi
7m
Metcalf Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
3 mi
3m
Southwest Auburn Road
0.5 mi
<1m
West 80th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 57.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Overland Park, KS and Dover, 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 left at fork onto I 470
6.7 mi·6 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, WichitaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 470 West, US 75: Topeka, Salina
11
Continue on I 470
3.0 mi·3 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Fairlawn Road, 29th Street
13
Continue on this road
441 ft·23 sec·this road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Southwest 29th Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Southwest 29th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 29th Street
122 ft·2 sec·Southwest 29th Street
16
Continue on Southwest 29th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 29th Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 29th Street
135 ft·2 sec·Southwest 29th Street
18
Continue on Southwest 29th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest 29th Street
19
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 29th Street
189 ft·4 sec·Southwest 29th Street
20
Continue on Southwest 29th Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·Southwest 29th Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto Southwest Auburn Road
0.5 mi·56 sec·Southwest Auburn Road
22
Turn left onto KS 4
3.6 mi·5 min·KS 4
23
Keep slight left at fork onto KS 4
3.7 mi·5 min·KS 4
24
Turn slight left onto KS 4
2.4 mi·3 min·KS 4
25
Arrive at destination
KS 4
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 40-minute travel time, departing Overland Park in the morning allows ample time to reach Dover and still have most of the day for activities. With a fuel cost estimated at $13 and no designated stops, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The longest stretch is 57.5 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that section. Since this is a relatively short drive, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities.
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 42 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 48m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dover, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Overland Park, KS
This is one driving day of about 84.1 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Overland Park, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 57.5 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 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 470 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470 / Kansas Turnpike toward I 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
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 470, I 335: South Topeka, Wichita
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.15 one way
$26.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.44
$28.87
premium
$4.89
$16.18
$32.37
diesel
$5.61
$18.57
$37.14
Estimated Tolls: $2.87
Kansas Turnpike
(57.5 mi)$2.87
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.83
$4.04
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.36
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.77
$5.38
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Overland Park, KS
Night
in Overland Park on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dover, KS
Night
in Dover on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Tecumseh, KS
42 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
19 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
1h 40m 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.
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 drive is largely highway-focused, with 80% of the journey on main roads like the Kansas Turnpike and KS 4. Expect a significant stretch of 57.5 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for a considerable portion of your travel. While the profile is predominantly highway, you will transition to KS 4 and Harry Darby Memorial Highway, which may offer slightly different driving dynamics as you approach your destination. Overall, it's a practical and efficient drive characterized by its main road composition.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and KS 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 81st Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.1 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: 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.
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 Dover, KS, road signs point toward Wichita and Salina.
Wichita
59.9 mi in|~1h 6m|via I 470
Salina
66.6 mi in|~1h 12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 84.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.87 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.
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 Dover, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dover, KS before heading back.
