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Trip from Saint George, KS to Wichita, 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 46m

Distance

138.8 mi

223 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m

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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Downtown Saint George, KS, KS

Saint George, KS

Enes Ersahin

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

Wichita, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Saint George, KS to Wichita, KS is 138.8 miles and takes about 2h 46m via US 77, US 50, and I-135, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Kansas, offering a straightforward drive through a predominantly rural landscape. With 82% of the route on highways, you'll experience a good amount of open road. It's a manageable distance, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling overly rushed.

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

69.4 miles from Saint George, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 77 55.2 mi 1h 4m
US 50 28.6 mi 33m
I 135 22.2 mi 24m
Fort Riley Boulevard 14.3 mi 18m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 7.4 mi 7m
US 24 6.6 mi 8m
North Broadway Street 1 mi 1m
East 13th Street North 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 77 — 55.2 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint George, KS and Wichita, KS.

1

Start on Grant Street

304 ft · 15 sec · Grant Street
2

Turn right onto 1st Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · 1st Street
3

Continue on Military Trail Road

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Military Trail Road
4

Turn right onto Flush Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Flush Road
5

Turn left onto US 24

6.6 mi · 8 min · US 24
6

Turn left onto KS 177

14 mi · 18 min · Fort Riley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7

Take the exit onto KS 18

0.3 mi · 35 sec · KS 18
Toward I-70 West, Salina
8

Merge onto I 70; US 40; KS 18

7.4 mi · 7 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9

Take the exit onto KS 18

0.2 mi · 27 sec · KS 18
Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington
10

Keep slight left at fork onto KS 18

0.1 mi · 24 sec · KS 18
Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington Use the left lane.
11

Turn right onto US 77

46 mi · 54 min · US 77
Toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Enter roundabout onto US 77

175 ft · 3 sec · US 77
13

Continue on US 77

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 77
14

Enter roundabout onto US 50

51 ft · 2 sec · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
15

Continue on US 50

25 mi · 30 min · US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50

3.2 mi · 3 min · US 50
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
17

Continue on I 135; US 81

22 mi · 24 min · I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 8 Toward 13th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

521 ft · 12 sec
Toward 13th Street Use the left / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto East 13th Street North

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 13th Street North
21

Turn left onto North Broadway Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway Street
22

Turn right onto East Central Avenue

368 ft · 14 sec · East Central Avenue
23

Turn left onto North Market Street

358 ft · 11 sec · North Market Street
24

Turn right

187 ft · 13 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short 2h 46m driving time, you have flexibility with your departure. Leaving Saint George in the morning allows you to arrive in Wichita with plenty of daylight. The estimated fuel cost is around $22, so ensure your tank is topped off before you leave to avoid needing to search for a station on the less highway-heavy portions. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.4 miles from Saint George, KS, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.2 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 31 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.4 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 17m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint George, 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 Saint George, KS

This is one driving day of about 138.8 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Saint George, 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 US 77 for about 55.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Peabody, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peabody, KS

69 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

Junction City, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peabody, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Saint George, 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.

Best meal stop · first break window

Wine Dive + Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manhattan, Kansas

Near the start, short detour

First break · 12min in 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17857122413

Visit website

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Manhattan, Kansas

1.2 mi

Wine Dive + Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Manhattan, Kansas

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17857122413

Visit website

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Manhattan, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17855397272

Visit website

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Manhattan, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17855373322

Visit website

Sale Barn Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Manhattan, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17857761718

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Wichita, KS

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 30.5 and 136.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
30.5 mi into trip | ~39m in | KS 18

Keep slight left at fork onto KS 18 toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington

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

Use the left lane. Toward US 77, KS 18 West, Marysville, Herington
6
30.6 mi into trip | ~40m in | US 77

Turn right onto US 77 toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 77, KS 18 West: Marysville, Herington
6
111.2 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | US 50

Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita

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

Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wi...
7
136.6 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward 13th Street

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 8 Toward 13th Street
8
136.8 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 13th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight right lanes. Toward 13th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.70 one way

$43.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.83 $47.65
premium $4.89 $26.71 $53.42
diesel $5.61 $30.65 $61.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.6 0 $14.57 $6.66
Efficient EV 34.7 0 $12.15 $5.55
EV Truck/SUV 55.5 0 $19.43 $8.88

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Saint George, KS

Late night in Saint George on Tuesday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wichita, KS

Late night in Wichita on Tuesday

Local time

5:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Peabody, KS

69 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

23 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

2h 46m 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?

You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 82% of the 138.8 miles being high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 55.2 miles on US 77. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination, so keep an eye out for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. This drive involves merging onto and off of interstates, so be prepared for those transitions.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.2 mi on US 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.5 miles in near KS 18.

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 18 significant decision points across 138.8 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 30.5 miles (KS 18): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.6 miles (US 77): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Saint George, KS and Wichita, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Marysville and Herington.

Salina

22.5 mi in | ~31m | via KS 18

Marysville

30.3 mi in | ~39m | via KS 18

Herington

30.3 mi in | ~39m | via KS 18

About the Cities

Arriving in Wichita, KS

Full guide →

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas — since Kansas City is divided between the states of Kansas and Missouri. It is not the biggest or flashiest city in the US, but it is a medium-sized city with a small-town feel. It offers much to tourists with its variety of attractions. === Tourist information === Visit Wichita website

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 2h 46m. Total distance: 138.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.2 miles on US 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 3 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 Wichita, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 30.5 miles (KS 18): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.6 miles (US 77): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wichita, 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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