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Trip from Pittsburg, KS to De Soto, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

125.4 mi

202 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m

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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city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States

Pittsburg, KS

Wikimedia Commons

human settlement in Kansas, United States of America

De Soto, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a journey from Pittsburg to De Soto, Kansas, you are looking at a 125.4-mile trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance within the Great Plains, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via West 4th Street, US 69 North, and Parkview Drive to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, the drive is quite budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a small group. It is a practical route for those moving between these two parts of the state, offering a consistent experience across the region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Parkview Drive 57.5 mi 1h 4m
US 69 50.4 mi 52m
KS 10 10.2 mi 11m
I 435 2.4 mi 2m
Kill Creek Road 1.3 mi 2m
West 4th Street 1 mi 1m
West 83rd Street 0.4 mi 1m
West 82nd Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Parkview Drive — 57.5 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, KS and De Soto, KS.

1

Start on US 69 Business

66 ft · 10 sec · North Broadway Street
2

Turn left onto KS 126

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
3

Turn slight right

313 ft · 13 sec
Toward US 69 North, US 160 East
4

Merge onto US 69; US 160

2.3 mi · 3 min · US 69; US 160
5

Turn left onto US 69; US 160

58 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Parkview Drive
6

Continue on US 69; KS 52

48 mi · 49 min · US 69; KS 52
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 435 West, US 50 West Use the sharp right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

489 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 435 West, US 50 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 435; US 50

2.4 mi · 2 min · I 435; US 50
Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 1B Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on KS 10

10 mi · 11 min · KS 10
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Kill Creek Road
14

Turn right onto Kill Creek Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Kill Creek Road
15

At end of road, turn left onto West 83rd Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West 83rd Street
16

Continue on Lexington Avenue

411 ft · 8 sec · Lexington Avenue
17

Turn right onto West 83rd Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 83rd Street
18

Turn right onto East Wyandotte Street

476 ft · 18 sec · East Wyandotte Street
19

Turn left onto West 82nd Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · West 82nd Street
20

Arrive at destination

West 82nd Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 22-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during daylight hours to better navigate the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, which may be less forgiving after dark. You won't need to plan for major rest stops given the duration, but keeping a small buffer in your $19 fuel budget is always a smart move for local driving. Because you aren't tied to a major highway, keep an eye on your GPS closely for those frequent turns on West 4th Street and Parkview Drive. Staying alert and sticking to your navigation will ensure a smooth arrival in De Soto.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 28 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.7 miles or 1h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Soto, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg, KS

This is one driving day of about 125.4 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Pittsburg, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Parkview Drive for about 57.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lenexa, KS

63 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

Fort Scott, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pleasanton, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.7 miles from Pittsburg, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19135993111

Visit website

Jose Pepper's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19136311011

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16202313100

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Frontenac, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Game Show Battle Rooms - Kansas City (Overland Park)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–9:30 pm

+19133501819

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 109 and 112.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
109 mi into trip | ~2h in

Take the exit toward I 435 West, US 50 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the sharp right lane. Toward I 435 West, US 50 West
6
109.3 mi into trip | ~2h in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
110 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 435 West, US 50 West

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 435 West, US 50 West
5
110.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | I 435; US 50

Merge onto I 435; US 50

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Take the exit toward KS 10 West: Lawrence

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1B Toward KS 10 West: Lawrence

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.60 one way

$39.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.53 $43.05
premium $4.89 $24.13 $48.26
diesel $5.61 $27.69 $55.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.6 0 $13.17 $6.02
Efficient EV 31.4 0 $10.97 $5.02
EV Truck/SUV 50.2 0 $17.56 $8.03

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Pittsburg, KS

Morning in Pittsburg on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

De Soto, KS

Morning in De Soto on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°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

7 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

2h 22m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads that demand your full attention, which creates a very different experience than the monotony of a major turnpike. Because the path relies on local infrastructure, you will find a more intimate look at the terrain as you move through the Great Plains. There are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches here, meaning the road keeps you engaged with frequent adjustments. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over fast-paced highway miles.

50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on Parkview Drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 around 109 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 125.4 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: at 109 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 125.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on Parkview Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 De Soto, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 109 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at De Soto, KS before heading back.

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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