WaKeeney, KS to Shawnee, KS is 294.9 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Kansas. With just one recommended stop and a largely uninterrupted stretch on the highway, it's a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate experience.
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
147.4 miles from WaKeeney, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
147.6 mi
2h 27m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi
1h 32m
Kansas Turnpike
48.7 mi
49m
South 59th Street
2.8 mi
5m
Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi
1m
KS 32
1 mi
1m
South 13th Street
0.8 mi
1m
Inland Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 147.6 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~934 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,240
Quietest
2 AM
~74 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 WaKeeney, KS and Shawnee, KS.
1
Start on North 8th Street
395 ft·17 sec·North 8th Street
2
Turn slight left
65 ft·3 sec
3
Turn slight left
24 ft·1 sec
4
Keep slight right at fork onto South Railroad Avenue
Given the 5h 6m estimated drive time and a fuel cost around $46, this route is very manageable for a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops you might need. The longest stretch is 147.6 miles, so plan for a break before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move from highway to surface roads, as fuel station availability can vary. This route's flexibility means you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 147.4 miles from WaKeeney, KS, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.6 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 65 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving WaKeeney, 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 WaKeeney, KS
This is one driving day of about 294.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from WaKeeney, 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 147.6 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 0.1 and 288.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Railroad Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto South Railroad Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South 8th Street
Turn left onto South 8th Street
Navigation decision point
6
238.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
5
288.3 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward College Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 415
Toward College Parkway
8
288.5 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Turner Diagonal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Turner Diagonal
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.45 one way
$92.91 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$50.74
$101.47
premium
$4.73
$54.88
$109.76
diesel
$6.06
$70.37
$140.74
Estimated Tolls: $2.43
Kansas Turnpike
(48.7 mi)$2.43
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
$46
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.5
1
$30.96
$14.16
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.80
EV Truck/SUV
118
1
$41.29
$18.87
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 16, 2026
Origin
WaKeeney, KS
Late night
in WaKeeney on Saturday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
N 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:13PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:55AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Destination
Shawnee, KS
Late night
in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Cloudy
NNW 12 to 18 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:13PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:55AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
79°F
Dwight, KS
147 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
5h 6m 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,...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 233.9
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 17% highway share, meaning you'll primarily be on surface roads for much of the 294.9 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, covers 147.6 miles. After this segment, expect a transition to more local roads. The profile is mostly surface roads, so you'll likely encounter more intersections and varying speed limits as you get closer to your destination.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.6 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Railroad Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 294.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Railroad Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.2 miles (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 238.8 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,449 ft859 ft
Total Climb
418 ft
Total Descent
1,805 ft
Highest Point
2,449 ft
Elevation Range
1,590 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 WaKeeney, KS to Shawnee, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 294.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.43 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 31 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 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 Shawnee, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Railroad Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.2 miles (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 238.8 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shawnee, KS before the return drive.
