Overland Park, KS to Medicine Lodge, KS is 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I 35 and US 160, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Kansas journey keeps you within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive. It's a route best suited for those who appreciate open landscapes and efficient travel. With a recommended one-day duration, it's an achievable trip for a single day of driving.
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
134.7 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
172.7 mi
2h 56m
US 160
33.9 mi
50m
KS 2
17.7 mi
31m
State Highway 42
17.3 mi
30m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.4 mi
14m
West Southwest Boulevard
7.7 mi
9m
I 235
1.6 mi
1m
West 87th Street
1.5 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 Medicine Lodge, 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 53AToward US 54, US 400
13
Merge onto US 54; US 400
11 mi·14 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 235 SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 235
1.6 mi·1 min·I 235
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward KS 42
17
Turn right onto KS 42
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Southwest Boulevard
18
Continue on KS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·West Cessna Boulevard
19
Continue on KS 42
7.2 mi·9 min·West Southwest Boulevard
20
Continue on KS 42
17 mi·30 min·State Highway 42
21
Turn left onto KS 2
18 mi·31 min·KS 2
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 160; KS 2
1.1 mi·1 min·East 14th Street
23
Turn left onto US 160; KS 2
3.0 mi·4 min·US 160; KS 2
24
Turn right onto US 160
31 mi·45 min·US 160
25
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South Main Street
26
Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue
431 ft·20 sec·West Kansas Avenue
27
Turn right onto North Cherry Street
211 ft·11 sec·North Cherry Street
28
Turn right
154 ft·11 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 29-minute drive time and the 269.4-mile distance, starting early in the morning will give you ample time to reach Medicine Lodge before dark. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 172.7 miles on I 35 with a quick break to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the state highways, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. Fuel costs are estimated at $42, so plan accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.7 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 2h 22m 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 22m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medicine Lodge, 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 269.4 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 188 — 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.
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
6
188 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 235 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 235 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.12 one way
$84.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.24
$92.49
premium
$4.89
$51.84
$103.69
diesel
$5.61
$59.48
$118.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.29
$12.93
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.57
$10.78
EV Truck/SUV
107.8
1
$37.72
$17.24
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening
in Overland Park on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Medicine Lodge, KS
Evening
in Medicine Lodge on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Eureka, KS
135 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
10 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
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highways, with 90% of your journey taking place on them. You'll experience a significant stretch of 172.7 miles on I 35, which makes for a consistent and fast-paced initial segment. As you transition to US 160 and KS 2, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains highway-centric. Expect a landscape that is largely consistent, characteristic of the Great Plains.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 160. You will hit about 20 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 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 269.4 miles you will encounter 20 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 5h 29m. Total distance: 269.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 Medicine Lodge, 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Medicine Lodge, KS before the return drive.
