Overland Park, KS to Medora, KS is 200.4 miles and takes about 3h 44m via I 35 and US 56, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Kansas for its entirety. Expect a straightforward drive that's predominantly highway, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. The relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost make this a practical option for a quick trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
100.2 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
97.2 mi
1h 40m
US 56
36.3 mi
42m
US 50
24.6 mi
29m
US 81 Business
17.3 mi
18m
KS 150
16.5 mi
19m
I 135
1.7 mi
1m
US 81 Bus
1.6 mi
1m
West 87th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 97.2 mi, about 1h 40m
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
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 Medora, 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
57 mi·57 min·I 35; US 50; US 59
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
13
Enter roundabout
433 ft·5 sec
14
Continue
0.2 mi·11 sec
15
Enter roundabout onto US 50
33 ft·0 sec·US 50
16
Continue on US 50
25 mi·29 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward KS 150 West: Marion
18
Turn straight onto KS 150
17 mi·19 min·KS 150
19
Enter roundabout onto US 56
190 ft·3 sec·US 56
20
Continue on US 56
36 mi·42 min·US 56
21
Turn left
0.2 mi·27 sec
22
Merge onto I 135; US 81
1.7 mi·1 min·I 135; US 81
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 81 Business, KS 61, McPherson, Hutchinson
24
Continue on US 81 Bus; KS 61
1.6 mi·1 min·US 81 Bus; KS 61
25
Continue on US 81 Business; KS 61
17 mi·18 min·US 81 Business; KS 61
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
27
Turn left onto Medora Road
0.4 mi·42 sec·Medora Road
28
Turn right onto Old K 61
442 ft·6 sec·Old K 61
29
Arrive at destination
Old K 61
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 44m duration, departing Overland Park in the morning allows ample time to reach Medora without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, this is a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. The longest stretch on I 35 is nearly 100 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of your drive on US 56, as services might become less frequent in the more rural sections.
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 100.2 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.2 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.2 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medora, 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 200.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 97.2 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 0.1 and 100.6 — 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.
5
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.43 one way
$66.86 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$36.33
$72.66
premium
$5.26
$41.49
$82.98
diesel
$6.18
$48.75
$97.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
EV Truck/SUV
80.2
1
$28.06
$12.83
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Overland Park, KS
Morning
in Overland Park on Sunday
Local time
8:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
S 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 8:40AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Destination
Medora, KS
Morning
in Medora on Sunday
Local time
8:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SSW 2 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 8:40AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Goodland 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
1 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
3h 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 almost entirely on highways, with 97% of the 200.4 miles utilizing major roadways like I 35 and US 56. You'll experience a long stretch of 97.2 miles on I 35 before transitioning to US 56, which will take you the remainder of the way. Expect consistent cruising with minimal interruptions from surface street traffic for the vast majority of your travel time.
97% 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: 97.2 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 56. You will hit about 19 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 200.4 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: 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,548 ft949 ft
Total Climb
699 ft
Total Descent
295 ft
Highest Point
1,548 ft
~171.8 mi in
Elevation Range
599 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 Medora, KS, road signs point toward Newton, Mcpherson and Hutchinson.
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 3h 44m. Total distance: 200.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.2 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 Medora, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Medora, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
