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Trip from Quinter, KS to Leavenworth, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

317.4 mi

511 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 18m ★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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Downtown Quinter, KS, KS

Quinter, KS

Pablo López

city in and county seat of Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States

Leavenworth, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Quinter, KS to Leavenworth, KS covers 317.4 miles and takes about 5h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Kansas Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.21 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

158.7 miles from Quinter, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 168.3 mi 2h 48m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 90.3 mi 1h 32m
Kansas Turnpike 40.4 mi 40m
K-7 15.5 mi 23m
Spruce Street 0.6 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Highway 212 0.4 mi 1m
Castle Rock Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 168.3 mi, about 2h 48m

Traffic on I-70

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~828 veh/hr typical · worst 1,121

Quietest

2 AM

~71 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

11.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Quinter, KS and Leavenworth, KS.

1

Start on Old Highway 40

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Old Highway 40
2

Turn sharp left onto Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn slight right onto Highway 212

0.4 mi · 1 min · Highway 212
4

Turn left onto Castle Rock Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Castle Rock Street
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
6

Merge onto I 70; US 40

167 mi · 2 hr 47 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7

Continue on I 70; US 40

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

15 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
11

Continue on I 70

40 mi · 40 min · Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 224 Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

238 ft · 13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing Use the straight / left lanes.
14

Turn left onto K-7

16 mi · 23 min · K-7
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn left onto KS 92

0.6 mi · 1 min · Spruce Street
16

Turn right

277 ft · 20 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 158.7 miles from Quinter, KS, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.3 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 70 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.7 miles or 2h 41m 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 25m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Quinter, 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 Quinter, KS

This is one driving day of about 317.4 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Quinter, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 168.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Dwight, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dwight, KS

159 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

Victoria, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salina, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.7 miles from Quinter, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 301.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Turn sharp left onto Main Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
259.3 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
8
300.5 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 224 Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
301.2 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
6
301.3 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in | K-7

Turn left onto K-7

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.21 one way

$98.42 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $53.96 $107.92
premium $4.93 $61.58 $123.16
diesel $5.60 $69.97 $139.93

Estimated Tolls: $2.02

Kansas Turnpike (40.4 mi) $2.02

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

$49

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.2 1 $33.33 $15.24
Efficient EV 79.4 0 $27.77 $12.70
EV Truck/SUV 127 1 $44.44 $20.31

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Quinter, KS

Morning in Quinter on Friday

Local time

6:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Partly Cloudy

S 10 to 15 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:49PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:47AM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS

Destination

Leavenworth, KS

Morning in Leavenworth on Friday

Local time

6:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Mostly Clear

SSW 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:49PM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:47AM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS

92°F

Dwight, KS

159 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

5 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 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

317.4 mi in 5h 31m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Main Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 317.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 259.3 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,669 ft 841 ft

Total Climb

251 ft

Total Descent

2,079 ft

Highest Point

2,669 ft

Elevation Range

1,828 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Quinter, KS to Leavenworth, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.

Kansas City

259.3 mi in | ~4h 23m | via I 70

About the Cities

Starting in Quinter, KS

Full guide →

Quinter is a town in Western region of Kansas.

Arriving in Leavenworth, KS

Full guide →

Founded 1854

Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas. Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.

Top landmarks

  • • Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center — historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
  • • Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth — building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
  • • Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 317.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 168.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.02 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.

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 Leavenworth, 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 0.2 miles (Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 259.3 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Leavenworth, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Leavenworth, KS to Quinter, KS

Plan the drive back the other way.

317.5 mi 5h 30m

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