Soldier, KS to Ulysses, KS is 364.4 miles and takes about 7h 25m via US 56, KS 156, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It's a straightforward drive across Kansas, mostly on highways but with a significant portion on surface roads. Plan for a single day if you're looking for efficiency, but know that the mix of road types means you'll experience varied driving conditions.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.2 miles from Soldier, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 56
58.8 mi
1h 10m
KS 156
51.8 mi
1h 2m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi
49m
East 10th Street
31.3 mi
36m
KS 16
27.9 mi
35m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
27.7 mi
27m
US 160
27 mi
35m
Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi
29m
Longest stretch:
US 56
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~727 veh/hr typical
· worst 987
Quietest
1 AM
~64 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 103 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 Soldier, KS and Ulysses, KS.
1
Start on Jackson Street
397 ft·7 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn slight right onto KS 62
0.2 mi·22 sec·1st Street
3
Continue on KS 62
4.8 mi·8 min·E Road
4
Turn right onto KS 16
6.0 mi·7 min·230 Road
5
Turn right onto KS 63
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 63
6
Turn left onto KS 16
19 mi·25 min·KS 16
7
At end of road, turn left onto KS 16; KS 99
0.4 mi·31 sec·KS 16; KS 99
8
Turn right onto KS 16
8.2 mi·9 min·KS 16
9
Continue on K-13
15 mi·18 min·K-13
10
Enter roundabout onto US 24
90 ft·1 sec·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
11
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuttle Creek Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto K-113
322 ft·3 sec·North Seth Child Road
13
Continue on K-113
5.5 mi·8 min·North Seth Child Road
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward KS 18 West: Fort Riley Boulevard WestUse the right lane.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 283; US 400
0.2 mi·10 sec·US 56; US 283; US 400
33
Turn straight onto US 56; US 400
32 mi·38 min·US 56; US 400
34
Turn right onto CR EE; KS 144
17 mi·29 min·CR EE; KS 144
35
Continue on US 160
27 mi·35 min·US 160
36
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Missouri Street
37
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
302 ft·15 sec·East Grant Avenue
38
Turn right onto North Court Street
226 ft·9 sec·North Court Street
39
Arrive at destination
North Court Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 25m estimated drive time, starting early is advisable to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to complete the 364.4 miles in one go. You'll encounter two recommended stops along the way, so take advantage of these to stretch and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $56, so factor that into your budget. Pay attention to the transition from highway driving to surface roads, as indicated by the 46% highway share, to adjust your pace accordingly. The longest stretch without a stop opportunity is 58.8 miles on US 56, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.2 miles from Soldier, KS, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.2 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ulysses, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Soldier, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Soldier, KS
This is one driving day of about 364.4 miles and 7h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Soldier, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 56 for about 58.8 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.5 and 149.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
31.5 mi into trip|~43m in|KS 16; KS 99
At end of road, turn left onto KS 16; KS 99
Navigation decision point
5
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the ramp toward KS 18 West: Fort Riley Boulevard West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward KS 18 West: Fort Riley Boulevard West
5
72.4 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|KS 18
Take the exit onto KS 18 toward I-70 West, Salina
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 West, Salina
5
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 70; US 40; KS 18 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 40; KS 18 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
149.8 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.13 one way
$114.26 round trip
$3.98/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$62.12
$124.24
premium
$4.70
$67.39
$134.77
diesel
$6.08
$87.23
$174.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.3
1
$38.26
$17.49
Efficient EV
91.1
1
$31.89
$14.58
EV Truck/SUV
145.8
1
$51.02
$23.32
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Soldier, KS
Afternoon
in Soldier on Monday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ulysses, KS
Afternoon
in Ulysses on Monday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
71°F
Lincoln, KS
182 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 46% of this 364.4-mile route is on highways, meaning you'll spend roughly 3.4 hours on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 56. The remaining miles will be on surface roads like KS 156, a profile described as mixed highway and surface. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 58.8 miles on US 56. Expect stretches of rural cruising with fewer exits as you move between highway segments and surface roads.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on US 56.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 27 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.5 miles in near KS 16; KS 99.
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 364.4 miles you will encounter 27 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 31.5 miles (KS 16; KS 99): Navigation decision point; at 61.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles (KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,053 ft1,089 ft
Total Climb
2,274 ft
Total Descent
443 ft
Highest Point
3,053 ft
~364.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,964 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Soldier, KS and Ulysses, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Ellsworth and Great Bend.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 25m. Total distance: 364.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on US 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ulysses, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles (KS 16; KS 99): Navigation decision point; at 61.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles (KS 18): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ulysses, KS before the return drive.
