How far is Hays, KS from Atchison, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Atchison, KS is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230 miles (370.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m 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 30m.
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.
City in Kansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Atchison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Atchison.
-
1
Start on the route
89 m · 27 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
-
3
Continue on Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street
-
5
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street
-
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
-
10
Continue on North Vine Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Vine Street
-
11
Take the exit slight right
949 ft · 23 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
115.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 75 North: Gage Boulevard, Holton
970 ft · 24 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: Holton
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 East: Lawrence
3035 ft · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right
1333 ft · 40 sec
-
21
Turn left onto Northeast Sherman Road
29.4 mi · 34 min · Northeast Sherman Road
-
22
Continue straight
14.7 mi · 17 min
-
23
Turn left onto South 22nd Street
611 ft · 12 sec · South 22nd Street
-
24
Turn right onto Woodlawn Avenue
2328 ft · 47 sec · Woodlawn Avenue
-
25
Keep slight right
144 m · 9 sec
-
26
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
27
Turn left onto South 10th Street
792 ft · 24 sec · South 10th Street
-
28
Turn right onto Kansas Avenue
1608 ft · 44 sec · Kansas Avenue
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Atchison.
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
115 mi · 01h 55m
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 leaving Hays and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Atchison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Atchison?
The road trip is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Chapman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.3 miles from Hays and 127.8 miles from Atchison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230 miles (370.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 7:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.13 one way or $72.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Hays and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Atchison.
Stop Ideas Near Chapman
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 Chapman.
Newton
Topeka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Atchison. Straight-line distance: 229.97 mi (370.1 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Atchison
City in Kansas, USA
| Population | 10,427 |
| Coordinates | 39.5630500, -95.1216400 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Atchison (-95.12164, 39.56305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 411 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.13 | $72.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.74 | $81.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.59 | $89.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.81 | $101.62 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.