Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Overland Park, KS to Lexington, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 19m
Distance
332 mi
534 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 7m
★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Overland Park, KS
Sam McCool
Trip Overview
Overland Park, KS to Lexington, KS is 332 miles and takes about 6h 19m via I 35 and Cannonball Stageline, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Kansas to another. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on interstates, making it a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick and uncomplicated travel day. You'll likely find the driving experience to be efficient, with a clear destination in mind for your one-day adventure.
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
166 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 172.7 mi | 2h 56m |
| Cannonball Stageline | 60.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 49.9 mi | 58m |
| The Yellow Brick Road | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 34 | 17 mi | 25m |
| East 1st Street | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| D Avenue | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Old Highway 34 | 2.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 172.7 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~761 veh/hr typical · worst 1,009
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Lexington, KS.
1
Start on this road
134 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto West 81st Street
232 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 81st Street
3
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
267 ft
·
12 sec
·
Overland Park Drive
4
Turn right onto Valley View Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Valley View Drive
5
Turn right onto Newton Street
515 ft
·
28 sec
·
Newton Street
6
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Santa Fe Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Continue on West 87th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West 87th Street
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35; US 56; US 169
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; US 50; US 56; US 169
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 35; US 50; US 56; US 169
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 35; US 50; US 59
133 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
I 35; US 50; US 59
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53A
Toward US 54, US 400
13
Merge onto US 54; US 400
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
D Avenue
15
Continue on US 54; US 400
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 54; US 400
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
East 1st Street
17
Continue on US 54; US 400
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
18
Continue on US 54; US 400
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kansas Avenue
19
Continue on US 54; US 400
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
The Yellow Brick Road
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 54
11 mi
·
12 min
·
The Yellow Brick Road
21
Turn left onto KS 34
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Main Street
22
Turn straight onto KS 34
17 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 34
23
Turn left onto Old Highway 34
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Highway 34
24
Arrive at destination
Old Highway 34
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Overland Park in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Lexington with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, especially since the longest stretch is over 170 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as there are 1 stop planned, but it’s always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll need to adjust your speed accordingly as you transition between road types.
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 166 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.7 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 73 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166 miles or 2h 53m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Overland Park, KS
This is one driving day of about 332 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Overland Park, 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 172.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166 miles from Overland Park, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Matfield Green Service Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Towanda Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 176.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Overland Park Drive
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Newton Street
Turn right onto Newton Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Santa Fe Drive
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 35; US 56; US 169
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 169
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
176.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 54, US 400
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53A
Toward US 54, US 400
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.30 one way
$104.59 round trip
$4.00/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.37 | $57.12 | $114.24 |
| premium | $4.73 | $61.79 | $123.57 |
| diesel | $6.06 | $79.22 | $158.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.6 | 1 | $34.86 | $15.94 |
| Efficient EV | 83 | 0 | $29.05 | $13.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.8 | 1 | $46.48 | $21.25 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Origin
Overland Park, KS
Late night in Overland Park on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
NW 9 to 13 mph
0% chance
Live 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
Lexington, KS
Late night in Lexington on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 12 mph
0% chance
Live 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
81°F
Andover, KS
166 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
5 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 19m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 58% of this drive is on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 172.7 miles on I 35. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. Expect to transition from faster interstate speeds to potentially slower surface roads as you approach your destination. The interstate portion offers a consistent driving pace with fewer interruptions.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Overland Park Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 332 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Overland Park Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Newton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Santa Fe Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,338 ft
969 ft
Total Climb
1,652 ft
Total Descent
720 ft
Highest Point
2,338 ft
~308.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,369 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Overland Park, KS
Full guide →Founded 1960
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
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 6h 19m. Total distance: 332 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Lexington, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Overland Park Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Newton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Santa Fe Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lexington, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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