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Trip from Wichita, KS to Garnett, KS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

142 mi

229 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 41m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m

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

Best Time
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city in and county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States

Wichita, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Garnett, KS, KS

Garnett, KS

Enric Cruz López

Trip Overview

The drive from Wichita, KS to Garnett, KS covers 142 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 54, US 169, Kansas Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.1 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.02 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

71 miles from Wichita, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 54 79.1 mi 1h 31m
US 169 25 mi 28m
Kansas Turnpike 18.4 mi 18m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 7.2 mi 9m
West Central Avenue 4.9 mi 9m
US 59 1.4 mi 1m
West Lincoln Street 1 mi 1m
North Dakota Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 54 — 79.1 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wichita, KS and Garnett, KS.

1

Start on this road

44 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right

187 ft · 15 sec
3

Turn right onto North Market Street

361 ft · 17 sec · North Market Street
4

Turn left onto East 3rd Street North

370 ft · 20 sec · East 3rd Street North
5

Turn right onto North Broadway Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · North Broadway Street
6

Continue on South Broadway Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Broadway Avenue
7

Turn left onto East Kellogg Drive

381 ft · 11 sec · East Kellogg Drive
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 54 East
9

Merge onto US 54; US 400

7.2 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec
Toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
12

Merge onto I 35

18 mi · 18 min · Kansas Turnpike
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
14

At end of road, turn right onto Boyer Road

260 ft · 5 sec · Boyer Road
15

Take the exit

200 ft · 5 sec
16

Merge onto KS 254

4.9 mi · 9 min · West Central Avenue
17

Continue on US 54

65 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 54

14 mi · 16 min · US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19

Continue on US 54

0.2 mi · 32 sec · US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto North State Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · North State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn right onto West Lincoln Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Lincoln Street
22

Turn left onto North Kentucky Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Kentucky Street
23

Turn right onto North Dakota Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Dakota Road
24

Turn left onto US 169

17 mi · 19 min · US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
25

Continue on US 169

7.5 mi · 8 min · US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
26

Enter roundabout onto US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31

224 ft · 2 sec · US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
27

Continue on US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 59; US 169 Business; KS 31
28

Turn right onto US 169 Business

0.4 mi · 39 sec · West 6th Avenue
29

Turn left onto South Oak Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South Oak Street
30

Arrive at destination

South Oak Street

Trip Plan

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 71 miles from Wichita, KS, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.1 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 31 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71 miles or 1h 26m 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 21m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS

This is one driving day of about 142 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Wichita, 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 US 54 for about 79.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Greenwood County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eureka, KS

71 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

El Dorado, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eureka, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71 miles from Wichita, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 54 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.1 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.

Best coffee break · home stretch

Dutch Country Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Garnett, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17854485711

Visit website

Wild Bloom Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iola, Kansas

0.9 mi

Wild Bloom Coffee - Drive Thru

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iola, Kansas

2.7 mi

Tina's Place

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Gas, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–1:30 pm

+16203806663

Visit website

Dutch Country Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Garnett, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17854485711

Visit website

Wild Bloom Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Iola, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16204183271

Visit website

Wild Bloom Coffee - Drive Thru

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Iola, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

El Dorado, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Wichita, KS

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Market Street

Turn right onto North Market Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 3rd Street North

Turn left onto East 3rd Street North

Navigation decision point

6
112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | North State Street

Turn left onto North State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | US 169

Turn left onto US 169

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.02 one way

$44.03 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $24.14 $48.28
premium $4.93 $27.55 $55.10
diesel $5.60 $31.30 $62.60

Estimated Tolls: $0.92

Kansas Turnpike (18.4 mi) $0.92

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

$22

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.6 0 $14.91 $6.82
Efficient EV 35.5 0 $12.43 $5.68
EV Truck/SUV 56.8 0 $19.88 $9.09

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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 Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Wichita, KS

Late night in Wichita on Friday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Garnett, KS

Late night in Garnett on Friday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Eureka, KS

71 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

20 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 51m 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?

142 mi in 2h 51m, mostly highway — 79.1 mi of that is on US 54.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.1 mi on US 54.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and US 169. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 142 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,461 ft 958 ft

Total Climb

503 ft

Total Descent

734 ft

Highest Point

1,461 ft

~40.6 mi in

Elevation Range

503 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Wichita, KS and Garnett, KS, road signs point toward Kansas City and Oklahoma City.

Kansas City

8.6 mi in | ~12m

Oklahoma City

8.6 mi in | ~12m

About the Cities

Starting in Wichita, KS

Full guide →

Founded 1868

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas — since Kansas City is divided between the states of Kansas and Missouri. It is not the biggest or flashiest city in the US, but it is a medium-sized city with a small-town feel. It offers much to tourists with its variety of attractions. === Tourist information === Visit Wichita website

Top landmarks

  • • Wichita Scottish Rite Center — masonic building, theater and events venue in Wichita, Kansas, United States
  • • B. H. Campbell House — historic home in Wichita, Kansas
  • • Carey House — historic building in Wichita, Kansas

Arriving in Garnett, KS

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Anderson County Courthouse — Historic county courthouse in Kansas, U.S.A.
  • • Sennett and Bertha Kirk House — single-family detached home in Garnett, Kansas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 142 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 79.1 miles on US 54. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.92 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 Garnett, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Garnett, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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