Spanning 263.8 miles across the Kansas plains, this trek from Shawnee to Hays is a straightforward journey typically taking 3 hours and 51 minutes. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day behind the wheel, making it a manageable one-day trip. Budget approximately $40 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the itinerary involves just one stop, it is best suited for drivers who prefer steady progress over frequent sightseeing. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, this drive offers a consistent path through the heart of the state.
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
132.1 miles from Shawnee, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
115.5 mi
1h 55m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi
1h 34m
Kansas Turnpike
44.9 mi
45m
I 435
4.8 mi
5m
West 51st Street
1.5 mi
3m
Holliday Drive
1.2 mi
2m
North Vine Street
1.1 mi
2m
Quivira Lane
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 115.5 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~940 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,186
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Shawnee, KS and Hays, KS.
1
Start on Bond Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Bond Street
2
Turn right onto West 49th Terrace
0.1 mi·34 sec·West 49th Terrace
3
Continue on Garnett Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·Garnett Street
4
Turn right onto West 51st Street
1.5 mi·3 min·West 51st Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Quivira Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Quivira Drive
6
Continue on Quivira Lane
0.8 mi·1 min·Quivira Lane
7
Turn right
54 ft·7 sec
8
Turn left onto Holliday Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Holliday Drive
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 435 North
10
Merge onto I 435
4.8 mi·5 min·I 435
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 12BToward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
44 mi·44 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
To ensure a smooth trip, aim to depart early in the morning so you can navigate the turn-heavy local roads during daylight hours. Since the entire journey takes nearly four hours, use your single planned stop to refuel and stretch before the final leg of the drive. Keep your $40 fuel budget handy and double-check your navigation before leaving Shawnee, as relying on local streets requires careful attention to signage. Because this route lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, flexibility is your greatest advantage if you encounter local traffic. Pack plenty of water and snacks to stay energized, as the local road profile makes for a more active driving experience than a typical interstate route.
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 132.1 miles from Shawnee, KS, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.5 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 22m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hays, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, KS
This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Shawnee, 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 115.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 262.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left toward I 435 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 435 North
8
9.8 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
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 12B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
8
54 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
7
262.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|US 183 / North Vine Street
Merge onto US 183 / North Vine Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
262.6 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|US 183 / North Vine Street
Enter roundabout onto US 183 / North Vine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.02 one way
$78.03 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.07
$86.15
premium
$4.72
$49.05
$98.11
diesel
$4.80
$49.89
$99.77
Estimated Tolls: $2.25
Kansas Turnpike
(44.9 mi)$2.25
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
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.12
$10.57
EV Truck/SUV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Shawnee, KS
Late night
in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 9 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hays, KS
Late night
in Hays on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
92°F
Louisville, KS
132 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 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 37m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, your path takes you along West 49th Terrace, Garnett Street, and West 51st Street rather than high-speed thoroughfares. This setup means you will navigate more intersections and changing road conditions throughout the 263.8-mile stretch. You will find that the personality of the drive remains focused on local navigation, providing a distinct experience from the typical cross-country highway grind. Stay alert as you transition between these specific roads to maintain your pace toward Hays.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 264.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,025 ft884 ft
Total Climb
1,232 ft
Total Descent
268 ft
Highest Point
2,025 ft
~264.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,141 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 Shawnee, KS to Hays, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Salina along the way.
Hays is a town of 21,000 people (2021) in the Western region of Kansas. The largest city in northwestern Kansas, and the economic and cultural center of the region. It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University.
Top landmarks
•St. Joseph's Church and Parochial School — church building in Kansas, United States of America
•Justus Bissing Jr. Historic District — historic district in Kansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.25 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.
Yes — we found about 26 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: at 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles (I 70 / Kansas Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hays, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
