How far is Hays, KS from Junction City, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Junction City, KS is about 140.4 miles (225.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Unincorporated community in Ellsworth County, Kansas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Junction City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Junction City.
-
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
21.4 mi · 21 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 40 Business
1232 ft · 33 sec
-
15
Turn left onto South Washington Street
144 m · 9 sec · South Washington Street
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Washington Street
41 m · 3 sec · South Washington Street
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto South Washington Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · South Washington Street
-
18
Turn left onto West 6th Street
556 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street
-
19
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
40 m · 6 sec · North Jefferson Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Junction 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
115 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Hays and Mostly Sunny near Junction City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Junction City?
The road trip is about 140.4 miles (225.9 km) and usually takes 02h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carneiro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.1 miles from Hays and 70.3 miles from Junction City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.67 one way or $37.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Mostly Sunny near Junction City.
Stop Ideas Near Carneiro
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 Carneiro.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Junction City. Straight-line distance: 134.47 mi (216.41 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Junction City
City in and county seat of Geary County, Kansas
| Population | 21,482 |
| Coordinates | 39.0286100, -96.8314000 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Jefferson Street (-96.831441, 39.02861)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.67 | $37.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.05 | $42.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.04 | $46.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.25 | $52.51 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.