Salina, KS to Monmouth, KS is 231.2 miles and takes about 4h 31m via West Iron Avenue, South Santa Fe Avenue, and West Claflin Avenue, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Kansas. Since the majority of the route is on surface roads, expect a more local feel rather than high-speed interstate travel. It's a good option for a single-day excursion if you're looking for a direct route with minimal highway time.
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
115.6 miles from Salina, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 135
64.3 mi
1h 4m
Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
61.1 mi
1h 10m
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
57.6 mi
1h 6m
KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
18.9 mi
21m
KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
9.6 mi
11m
South Main Street
9.2 mi
11m
West Central Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
South Santa Fe Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-135
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~571 veh/hr typical
· worst 761
Quietest
2 AM
~45 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Salina, KS and Monmouth, KS.
1
Start on South 8th Street
92 ft·5 sec·South 8th Street
2
Turn right onto West Iron Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·West Iron Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Santa Fe Avenue
1.8 mi·3 min·South Santa Fe Avenue
4
At end of road, turn right onto West Claflin Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Claflin Avenue
5
Turn left onto South 9th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 9th Street
6
Turn right
140 ft·5 sec
7
Turn right onto West Magnolia Road
0.3 mi·49 sec·West Magnolia Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
9
Merge onto I 135; US 81
57 mi·57 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.2 mi·2 min·I 135; US 50; US 81
11
Continue on I 135; US 81
4.9 mi·4 min·I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
13
Turn left onto KS 196
9.6 mi·11 min·KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
14
Continue on KS 196
19 mi·21 min·KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
15
Continue on KS 196
444 ft·14 sec·Northwest State Road 196
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
17
Merge onto KS 254
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 20th Street
18
Continue on KS 254
2.3 mi·4 min·West Central Avenue
19
Turn right onto South Denver Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Denver Street
20
Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Kansas Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 54; US 77
9.2 mi·11 min·South Main Street
22
Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street
0.3 mi·23 sec·Southeast 100th Street
23
Turn left onto US 400
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft·2 sec·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
25
Continue on US 400
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto South 90th Street
1.6 mi·6 min·South 90th Street
27
Turn right onto East 516th Avenue
0.2 mi·45 sec·East 516th Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
East 516th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 31m estimated drive time and 231.2 miles, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace. With no highway driving, your fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure you have enough gas before you leave Salina, as services might be more spaced out on surface roads. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the route involves several turns on local roads.
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 115.6 miles from Salina, KS, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 51 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 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 3h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monmouth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salina, 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 Salina, KS
This is one driving day of about 231.2 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Salina, 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 I 135 for about 64.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 68.2 — 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 Iron Avenue
Turn right onto West Iron Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Santa Fe Avenue
Turn right onto South Santa Fe Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|West Claflin Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Claflin Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip|~8m in|I 135; US 81
Merge onto I 135; US 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.42 one way
$72.84 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$39.78
$79.55
premium
$4.73
$43.03
$86.05
diesel
$6.06
$55.17
$110.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.23
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.37
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Salina, KS
Late night
in Salina on Saturday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Clear then Widespread Frost
NNW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 10:30PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:08PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE
Destination
Monmouth, KS
Late night
in Monmouth on Saturday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 10:30PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Dodge City KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:08PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Hastings NE
81°F
Andover, KS
116 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
4h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 231.2-mile drive is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. The longest stretch without needing to turn is not specified, but you'll be navigating local streets like West Iron Avenue, South Santa Fe Avenue, and West Claflin Avenue for the entire 4h 31m duration. Expect to be cruising at lower speeds and paying attention to local traffic signals and intersections throughout the trip.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 mi on I 135.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Iron Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 31m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Iron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Santa Fe Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (West Claflin Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,506 ft808 ft
Total Climb
485 ft
Total Descent
832 ft
Highest Point
1,506 ft
~33 mi in
Elevation Range
698 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 Salina, KS to Monmouth, KS, road signs begin pointing toward El Dorado along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on I 135. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Iron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Santa Fe Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (West Claflin Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Monmouth, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
