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Trip from Overland Park, KS to Meade, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 38m

Distance

356.5 mi

574 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 26m ★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Overland Park, KS, KS

Overland Park, KS

Sam McCool

Downtown Meade, KS, KS

Meade, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

Embarking on this 356.5-mile journey from Overland Park, Kansas, to Meade, Kansas, will take approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes of driving time. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, given its manageable duration and the fact that you'll remain within the Great Plains region throughout. With a projected fuel cost of around $56, it's an economical choice for exploring the heartland. The drive predominantly follows I-35, offering a straightforward path across the state. Consider this drive for a direct and efficient trip through Kansas.

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

178.2 miles from Overland Park, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 172.7 mi 2h 56m
The Yellow Brick Road 61.7 mi 1h 10m
Cannonball Stageline 60.2 mi 1h 8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 49.9 mi 58m
East 1st Street 3.1 mi 6m
D Avenue 2.4 mi 5m
West 87th Street 1.5 mi 2m
East Kansas Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 172.7 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Overland Park, KS and Meade, 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

33 mi · 37 min · The Yellow Brick Road
21

Continue on US 54

0.7 mi · 48 sec · East Front Street
22

Continue on US 54

21 mi · 23 min · The Yellow Brick Road
23

Continue on US 54; US 160

0.6 mi · 42 sec · East Carthage Street
24

Arrive at destination

US 54; US 160

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour and 38-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for your 356.5-mile trek. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a meal or stretch break. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 172.7 miles on I-35, so ensure you're fueled up before heading into that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main interstate, to manage the estimated $56 fuel cost effectively. This route is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your pacing.

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 178.2 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 3h 7m 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 78 miles or 1h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 178.2 miles or 3h 7m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meade, 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 356.5 miles and 6h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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.

city in and county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita, KS

178 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

Council Grove, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wichita, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.2 miles from Overland Park, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 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

$55.73 one way

$111.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $61.19 $122.39
premium $4.89 $68.61 $137.21
diesel $5.61 $78.71 $157.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 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 107 1 $37.43 $17.11
Efficient EV 89.1 1 $31.19 $14.26
EV Truck/SUV 142.6 1 $49.91 $22.82

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Overland Park, KS

Evening in Overland Park on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

SSW 6 to 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 10:01AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 10:21AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS

Destination

Meade, KS

Evening in Meade on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live 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

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

6h 38m 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?

This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 48% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-35, including the longest stretch of 172.7 miles, which makes for a consistent and often fast-paced experience. The route also incorporates "The Yellow Brick Road" and "Cannonball Stageline," suggesting segments that might offer a more local or historic feel compared to the interstate. Expect a drive that balances efficient highway travel with glimpses of Kansas's varied landscapes.

48% 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 10 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 356.5 miles you will encounter 10 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 356.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 38m 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.

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 Meade, 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 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Meade, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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