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Trip from Tecumseh, KS to Derby, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

146.9 mi

236 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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unincorporated community in Shawnee County, Kansas

Tecumseh, KS

Wikimedia Commons

city in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands region of England

Derby, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 147-mile journey from Tecumseh, Kansas, to Derby, Kansas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily via Southeast Tecumseh Road and the Oakland Expressway before transitioning to the Kansas Turnpike. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $22, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transit. Both your starting and ending points are situated within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your drive. This route is straightforward and efficient, perfect for those seeking a direct path.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.4 miles from Tecumseh, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kansas Turnpike 136.7 mi 2h 16m
South Southeast Boulevard 5.1 mi 7m
US 40 1.5 mi 2m
Oakland Expressway 0.6 mi <1m
North Baltimore Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Southeast Tecumseh Road 0.3 mi <1m
Turnpike Drive 0.2 mi <1m
Southeast 3rd Terrace 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Kansas Turnpike — 136.7 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tecumseh, KS and Derby, KS.

1

Start on Southeast 3rd Terrace

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southeast 3rd Terrace
2

At end of road, turn left onto Southeast Tecumseh Road

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Southeast Tecumseh Road
3

Turn right onto US 40

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the ramp onto US 40

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 40
5

Merge onto US 40; KS 4

0.6 mi · 37 sec · Oakland Expressway
6

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
7

Merge onto I 470

137 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Kansas Turnpike
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KS 15: Wichita K-15
9

Keep slight left at fork

149 ft · 4 sec
10

Turn right onto Turnpike Drive

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Turnpike Drive
11

At end of road, turn left onto KS 15

5.1 mi · 7 min · South Southeast Boulevard
12

Continue on KS 15

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Baltimore Avenue
13

Turn left onto East Main Street

271 ft · 17 sec · East Main Street
14

Turn left

121 ft · 8 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2-hour, 8-minute duration of this 147-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Tecumseh, KS, in the morning will put you in Derby, KS, with plenty of daylight remaining. The $22 fuel cost is quite manageable, so you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops. However, because this route involves many turns, it's wise to stay attentive to your navigation. A practical tip: keep your GPS or map app active throughout the drive, as the frequent changes in road names and directions can be easy to miss on a turn-heavy route.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.4 miles from Tecumseh, KS, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.7 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 32 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.4 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Derby, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, KS

This is one driving day of about 146.9 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Tecumseh, 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 Kansas Turnpike for about 136.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Emporia, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Emporia, KS

73 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

Auburn, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Emporia, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.4 miles from Tecumseh, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Kansas Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.7 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.

Yuki Restaurant of Japan

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 4:30–9:30 pm

+17852717878

Visit website

Blue Moose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17852726800

Visit website

Oriental Express

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17852712308

Visit website

Cafe Quetzal

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Topeka, Kansas

Hours: 6:45 am–9 pm

+17853295527

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Wichita, KS

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Matfield Green, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Great Plains Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13166835499

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 146.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southeast Tecumseh Road

At end of road, turn left onto Southeast Tecumseh Road

Navigation decision point

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 40

Turn right onto US 40

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
4
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 40

Take the ramp onto US 40

Navigation decision point

4
140.5 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the exit toward KS 15: Wichita K-15

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward KS 15: Wichita K-15
5
146.9 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.97 one way

$45.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.22 $50.43
premium $4.89 $28.27 $56.54
diesel $5.61 $32.43 $64.87

Estimated Tolls: $6.83

Kansas Turnpike (136.7 mi) $6.83

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

$23

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.1 0 $15.42 $7.05
Efficient EV 36.7 0 $12.85 $5.88
EV Truck/SUV 58.8 0 $20.57 $9.40

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Tecumseh, KS

Morning in Tecumseh on Tuesday

Local time

6:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Derby, KS

Morning in Derby on Tuesday

Local time

6:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy' local drive for much of this 147-mile trip. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and local roads for the entirety of your 2-hour, 8-minute journey. This means you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through more varied traffic patterns than you would on a highway. The absence of long, uninterrupted stretches means you'll have ample opportunities to adjust your course and experience the local flow of traffic. It's a route that keeps you engaged with your surroundings rather than on a monotonous interstate.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.7 mi on Kansas Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Kansas Turnpike and South Southeast Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Southeast Tecumseh Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Southeast Tecumseh Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 40): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (US 40): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 146.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 136.7 miles on Kansas Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.83 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, 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 0.2 miles (Southeast Tecumseh Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 40): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (US 40): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Derby, KS before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Derby, KS to Tecumseh, KS

Plan the drive back the other way.

146.6 mi 2h 32m

Continue From Derby, KS

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