Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pittsburg, KS to Ulysses, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 8m
Distance
396.5 mi
638 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 1m
★
6 AM
8h 9m
8 AM
8h 25m
10 AM
8h 15m
12 PM
8h 13m
3 PM
8h 15m
5 PM
8h 24m
8 PM
8h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburg, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Ulysses, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Pittsburg, KS to Ulysses, KS is 396.5 miles and takes about 8h 8m via US 400, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains, traversing Kansas for its entirety. It's a straightforward drive, best suited for those who prefer a direct path across the state. With only 2 recommended stops, you can expect a relatively uninterrupted drive, though you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. Consider this route if you're looking for efficiency over a scenic detour.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.2 miles from Pittsburg, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 400 | 104.2 mi | 2h 2m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 68.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Cannonball Stageline | 60.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 56 | 36 mi | 43m |
| US 160 | 27 mi | 35m |
| CR EE | 16.6 mi | 29m |
| The Yellow Brick Road | 8.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 400
— 104.2 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, KS and Ulysses, 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 left onto US 69; US 160
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 69; US 160
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 400
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 400
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 400
170 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 400
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Avenue
9
Continue on US 54; US 400
61 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
D Avenue
11
Continue on US 54; US 400
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 54; US 400
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
East 1st Street
13
Continue on US 54; US 400
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
14
Continue on US 54; US 400
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kansas Avenue
15
Continue on US 54; US 400
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
The Yellow Brick Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 400
34 mi
·
40 min
·
US 400
17
Turn left onto US 56; US 283; US 400
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 56; US 283; US 400
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 283; US 400
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 56; US 283; US 400
19
Turn straight onto US 56; US 400
32 mi
·
38 min
·
US 56; US 400
20
Turn right onto CR EE; KS 144
17 mi
·
29 min
·
CR EE; KS 144
21
Continue on US 160
27 mi
·
35 min
·
US 160
22
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Missouri Street
23
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
302 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Grant Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Court Street
226 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Court Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Court Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time and recommended 2 stops, this trip is easily doable in a single day. However, splitting it over 2 days would allow for a more relaxed pace. Aim to depart Pittsburg, KS in the morning to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 100 miles on US 400, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to more rural surface roads where services might be less frequent.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.2 miles from Pittsburg, KS, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.2 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 198.2 miles or 3h 54m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ulysses, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pittsburg, KS
Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Ulysses, KS
Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Pittsburg, KS.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 400 for about 104.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
198 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Haven, KSOvernight Options
Night 1
198 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Haven, KS after about 198 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.2 miles from Pittsburg, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 400 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 198 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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.
Stockyards Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 396.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KS 126 / West 4th Street
Turn left onto KS 126 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 69; US 160
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
6.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 400
Turn right onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
396.4 mi into trip
|
~8h 8m in
|
East Grant Avenue
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
396.5 mi into trip
|
~8h 8m in
|
North Court Street
Turn right onto North Court Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.55 one way
$117.11 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $64.64 | $129.28 |
| premium | $4.72 | $73.62 | $147.24 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $74.87 | $149.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$189–$299
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119 | 1 | $41.63 | $19.03 |
| Efficient EV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.69 | $15.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.6 | 1 | $55.51 | $25.38 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Origin
Pittsburg, KS
Evening in Pittsburg on Saturday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Ulysses, KS
Evening in Ulysses on Saturday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SE 8 to 12 mph
2% chance
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 8m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 43% highway, meaning you'll encounter a mix of high-speed cruising and surface road driving. The longest continuous stretch on US 400 is 104.2 miles. You'll transition from highway to surface roads as the route progresses, so be prepared for varying speed limits and potential for more local traffic. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the 8-hour duration.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.2 mi on US 400.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KS 126 / West 4th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 396.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 69; US 160): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,053 ft
846 ft
Total Climb
2,240 ft
Total Descent
132 ft
Highest Point
3,053 ft
~396.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,207 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Pittsburg, KS
Full guide →Founded 1876
Top landmarks
- • Pittsburg Public Library — public library in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.2 miles on US 400. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 198 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 7 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ulysses, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 69; US 160): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ulysses, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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