How far is Arkansas City, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Arkansas City, KS to Hays, KS is about 243.6 miles (392 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.9 miles (284.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in McPherson County, Kansas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arkansas City and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arkansas City and Hays.
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1
Start on the route
97 m · 25 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 5th Avenue
58 m · 16 sec · East 5th Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Summit Street
132 m · 23 sec · South Summit Street
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4
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
2891 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South 8th Street
1290 ft · 38 sec · South 8th Street
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6
Turn right onto West Madison Avenue
15.9 mi · 24 min · West Madison Avenue
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7
Take the ramp left
1095 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
37.6 mi · 38 min · Kansas Turnpike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 135, I 235, US 81: South Wichita, Salina
1 km · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
95.6 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Hays
1185 ft · 42 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
91.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
1010 ft · 25 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto North Vine Street
79 m · 7 sec · North Vine Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
944 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
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17
Continue on North Vine Street
99 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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22
Turn right onto East 27th Street
1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street
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23
Turn left onto Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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25
Turn right
89 m · 21 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arkansas City and Hays.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 135
Continue straight
95.6 mi · 01h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Arkansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hays.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arkansas City to Hays?
The road trip is about 243.6 miles (392 km) and usually takes 03h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
New Gottland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.2 miles from Arkansas City and 121.3 miles from Hays.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.9 miles (284.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.39 one way or $64.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Arkansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hays.
Stop Ideas Near New Gottland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Gottland.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arkansas City and Hays. Straight-line distance: 176.91 mi (284.71 km).
#1 Arkansas City
City in Cowley County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,669 |
| Coordinates | 37.0619700, -97.0383700 |
| Altitude | 341 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-99.32671, 38.879268)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.39 | $64.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.53 | $73.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.98 | $79.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.56 | $91.12 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kansas · May 28, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.