Shawnee, KS to Saint George, KS is 110.6 miles and takes about 2h 8m via Kansas Turnpike and KS 99, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. You'll experience a mixed drive, with a significant portion on well-maintained highways. With only one recommended day, this is a straightforward journey perfect for a quick transition between locations or a day trip. Plan for a practical, no-frills drive that gets you where you need to go efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Shawnee, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kansas Turnpike
44.9 mi
45m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
38.9 mi
41m
KS 99
9.6 mi
11m
Military Trail Road
5.7 mi
8m
I 435
4.8 mi
5m
West 51st Street
1.5 mi
3m
Holliday Drive
1.2 mi
2m
4th Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Kansas Turnpike
— 44.9 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, KS and Saint George, 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.
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Shawnee in the morning should allow you ample time to reach Saint George with plenty of daylight remaining. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as there are no specific stops suggested for this route. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 45 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if needed for stretching or a quick refreshment.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.3 miles from Shawnee, KS, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.9 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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint George, 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 110.6 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Shawnee, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kansas Turnpike for about 44.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 93.9 — 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
5
10.1 mi into trip|~17m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
93.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward KS 99: Alma, Wamego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 99: Alma, Wamego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.29 one way
$34.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.98
$37.97
premium
$4.89
$21.28
$42.57
diesel
$5.61
$24.42
$48.84
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
$17
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
Efficient EV
27.7
0
$9.68
$4.42
EV Truck/SUV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Shawnee, KS
Late night
in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint George, KS
Late night
in Saint George on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Tecumseh, KS
55 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
25 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
2h 8m 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.
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?
This route features a 54% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good amount of time on faster roads like the Kansas Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 44.9 miles on the Kansas Turnpike, providing a solid period of consistent cruising. Expect a mixed drive profile, transitioning between the efficiency of the highway and sections on KS 99. The drive is generally straightforward, with clear navigation likely on the main arteries. You'll notice the landscape remain consistent with the Great Plains throughout the journey.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.9 mi on Kansas Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 110.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shawnee, KS and Saint George, KS, road signs point toward Kansas Turnpike, Salina and Wamego.
Kansas Turnpike
9.8 mi in|~17m
Salina
54 mi in|~1h 2m|via I 70
Wamego
93.9 mi in|~1h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 110.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.9 miles on Kansas Turnpike. 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.
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 Saint George, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint George, KS before heading back.
