Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Salina, KS to Satanta, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
226 mi
364 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salina, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Satanta, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
Salina to Satanta is 226 miles and takes about 4h 35m via US 56, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region of Kansas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel, suitable for a single day trip. With only one recommended stop, this trip is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss. Plan for a budget of approximately $40 for fuel on this 226-mile journey.
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
113 miles from Salina, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 56 | 83.1 mi | 1h 40m |
| KS 156 | 51.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| East 10th Street | 31.3 mi | 36m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 26.8 mi | 26m |
| Northeast Trail Street | 24.3 mi | 29m |
| Railroad Avenue | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| North 9th Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Broadway Street | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 56
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina, KS and Satanta, KS.
1
Start on South 8th Street
92 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 8th Street
2
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
279 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Iron Avenue
3
Turn right onto North 9th Street
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North 9th Street
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 70 West: Hays
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 70; US 40
27 mi
·
26 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
7
Turn left onto KS 156
48 mi
·
56 min
·
KS 156
8
Take the ramp onto KS 156
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
KS 156
9
Turn left onto US 281
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
10
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
11
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Railroad Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 56; KS 156
19 mi
·
23 min
·
US 56; KS 156
13
Turn left onto US 56
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Broadway Street
14
Turn right onto US 56
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Northeast Trail Street
15
Turn left onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Niles Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 50
31 mi
·
36 min
·
East 10th Street
17
Turn left onto US 56; US 283
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 56; US 283
18
Turn left onto US 56; US 283
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 56; US 283
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 283; US 400
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 56; US 283; US 400
20
Turn straight onto US 56; US 400
57 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 56; US 400
21
Turn left onto KS 190
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road GG
22
Turn left onto County Road 220
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 220
23
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 35-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the trip comfortably. Since it's a single-day route with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 83.1-mile stretch on US 56, as services might be spaced out in rural areas. The estimated fuel cost is around $40, so budget accordingly. Consider filling up before you leave Salina to ensure you start with a full tank.
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 113 miles from Salina, KS, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Satanta, 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 226 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 US 56 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113 miles from Salina, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 56 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.
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.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 84.6 — 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 left onto West Iron Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I 70 West: Hays
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Hays
5
29.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
4
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
Railroad Avenue
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
US 56; KS 156
At end of road, turn left onto US 56; KS 156
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.38 one way
$66.75 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $36.85 | $73.69 |
| premium | $4.72 | $41.96 | $83.92 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.67 | $85.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.73 | $10.85 |
| Efficient EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.64 | $14.46 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
Salina, KS
Late night in Salina on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSW 6 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Satanta, KS
Late night in Satanta on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
72°F
Saint John, KS
113 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
2 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
4h 35m 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?
This drive has about 60% of its mileage on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 83.1 miles on US 56, indicating significant rural cruising before transitioning to surface roads. The profile is a mix of highway and surface road, so be prepared for a change in driving conditions as you move between them. Expect fewer exits and more open road for extended periods.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on US 56.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 18 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,955 ft
1,226 ft
Total Climb
1,729 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
2,955 ft
~226 mi in
Elevation Range
1,729 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Salina, KS and Satanta, KS, road signs point toward Ellsworth and Great Bend.
Ellsworth
29.6 mi in
|
~33m
Great Bend
29.6 mi in
|
~33m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Jim's chicken
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: american;chicken
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Salina, KS
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 05:30-21:00; Sa 06:00-21:00
Visit websiteMokas
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Cozy Inn Hamburgers
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Salina, KS
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Visit websiteMartinelli's Little Italy
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Salina, KS
Cuisine: italian
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00;Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteSeraphim Bread
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Visit website
Yaya's Euro Bistro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Salina, KS
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteLuna Bella
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Salina
Cuisine: mexican
The Scheme Pizza Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: pizza
MP Freight House
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
MP Depot
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
ATSF Freight House
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fort Zarah Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Original Salina Airport
Ruins
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
In Appreciation of Robert J. Paulette, P.E.
Monument
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Steve Fossett Plaza
Memorial
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Budget King Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Comfort Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Salina, KS
Visit websiteSuper 8
Motel
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Salina, KS
Visit websiteMotel 6
Motel
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Salina
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Salina, KS
Full guide →Founded 1858
Salina (sah-LIGH-nah) is the county seat of Saline County in Central Kansas. In 2020, it was home to 47,000 people.
Top landmarks
- • Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Salina, Kansas
- • Christ Cathedral — cathedral in Salina, Kansas
- • Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts — performing arts center and former movie theater in Salina, Kansas, United States
Arriving in Satanta, KS
Full guide →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 4h 35m. Total distance: 226 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on US 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Satanta, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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