Overland Park, KS to Norton, KS is 328.2 miles and takes about 6h 24m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and Kansas Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, transitioning from the more developed area around Overland Park to the expansive rural landscapes of western Kansas. With a recommended single day for completion, it's a straightforward route that balances highway cruising with some time on surface roads. Consider this trip if you're looking for a direct path across Kansas with minimal complexity.
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
164.1 miles from Overland Park, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
52.4 mi
54m
Kansas Turnpike
51.8 mi
52m
Gold Road
44.8 mi
54m
KS 9
40.4 mi
48m
US 36
32.3 mi
39m
Eagle Road
24.2 mi
27m
18th Road
19.7 mi
22m
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
15.2 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 52.4 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,289 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,574
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Norton, 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 right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard
14
Continue on KS 177
0.2 mi·39 sec·Fort Riley Boulevard
15
Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.7 mi·8 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 24
232 ft·2 sec·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
17
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
18
Enter roundabout onto US 24
161 ft·1 sec·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
19
Continue on US 24
8.6 mi·10 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
20
Turn left onto US 24; US 77
9.1 mi·10 min·Madison Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto KS 82
4.0 mi·4 min·Cavalry Road
22
Turn left onto US 24
2.5 mi·2 min·Barton Road
23
Continue on US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·18th Road
24
Continue on US 24
2.2 mi·4 min·Crawford Street
25
Continue on US 24
12 mi·13 min·18th Road
26
Continue on US 24
24 mi·27 min·Eagle Road
27
Continue on US 24
3.3 mi·3 min·Dove Road
28
Continue on US 24
1.4 mi·1 min·Elk Road
29
Continue on US 24
1.5 mi·1 min·Fox Road
30
Continue on US 24
45 mi·54 min·Gold Road
31
Turn right onto KS 9; US 281
12 mi·14 min·KS 9; US 281
32
Turn left onto KS 9
29 mi·33 min·KS 9
33
Turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi·27 sec·Central Avenue
34
Continue on US 183
4.8 mi·5 min·East 100 Road
35
Turn left onto US 36; US 183
29 mi·35 min·US 36; US 183
36
Continue on US 36; K-383
3.3 mi·4 min·US 36; K-383
37
Turn left onto US 283
0.3 mi·31 sec·North State Street
38
Turn right onto West Wilton Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·West Wilton Street
39
Turn right onto North 2nd Avenue
28 ft·1 sec·North 2nd Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 24m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Overland Park to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, it’s wise to plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move into western Kansas where services can be more spread out; the estimated $50 fuel cost should give you a good baseline. Since this route is comfortably drivable in a single day, you have flexibility in your pacing, but a mid-afternoon arrival in Norton is realistic if you leave around 9 AM.
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 164.1 miles from Overland Park, KS, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.4 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 72 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 3h 6m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norton, 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 328.2 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 52.4 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 23
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 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
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-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.57 one way
$109.13 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$59.44
$118.88
premium
$5.18
$66.97
$133.94
diesel
$5.35
$69.13
$138.26
Estimated Tolls: $2.59
Kansas Turnpike
(51.8 mi)$2.59
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
$55
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.5
1
$34.46
$15.75
Efficient EV
82.1
0
$28.72
$13.13
EV Truck/SUV
131.3
1
$45.95
$21.00
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Overland Park, KS
Afternoon
in Overland Park on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ESE 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Norton, KS
Afternoon
in Norton on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita 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
10 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 24m 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.
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?
About 41% of this 328.2-mile route is on highways, meaning you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more local driving. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 52.4 miles, primarily on the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. You'll notice the transition from highway speeds to surface roads as you progress westward, with exits becoming less frequent. Expect periods of rural cruising after leaving the Kansas Turnpike.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.4 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 328.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,313 ft963 ft
Total Climb
1,761 ft
Total Descent
527 ft
Highest Point
2,313 ft
~328.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,350 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 Norton, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Manhattan and Council Grove.
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 6h 24m. Total distance: 328.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.4 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.59 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Norton, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Norton, KS before the return drive.
