How far is Hays, KS from Arkansas City, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Arkansas City, KS is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.9 miles (284.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 44m 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 04h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Arkansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Arkansas City.
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1
Start on the route
89 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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3
Continue on Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street
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5
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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7
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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10
Continue on North Vine Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Vine Street
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11
Take the exit slight right
949 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
2112 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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15
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 35 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South: Oklahoma City
1773 ft · 43 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
37.6 mi · 38 min · Kansas Turnpike
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven
1284 ft · 39 sec
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 160th Street South
16.1 mi · 25 min · East 160th Street South
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21
Turn left onto South 8th Street
1290 ft · 37 sec · South 8th Street
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22
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
1439 ft · 45 sec · West Washington Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South 4th Street
871 ft · 26 sec · South 4th Street
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24
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
1641 ft · 49 sec · West Central Avenue
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25
Turn right
37 m · 9 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 Hays and Arkansas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hays and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arkansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Arkansas City?
The road trip is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km) and usually takes 04h 22m 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 121.9 miles from Hays and 122 miles from Arkansas City.
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 66.9 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 8:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.43 one way or $64.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hays and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arkansas City.
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 Hays and Arkansas City. Straight-line distance: 176.91 mi (284.71 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arkansas City
City in Cowley County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,669 |
| Coordinates | 37.0619700, -97.0383700 |
| Altitude | 341 |
| Country | United States |
End: Arkansas City (-97.03837, 37.06197)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 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 29m |
| 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 | $32.43 | $64.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.58 | $73.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.02 | $80.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.61 | $91.23 |
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 · Apr 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.