How far is Hays, KS from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Kansas City, KS is about 265.1 miles (426.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m 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 45m.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Kansas 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
115.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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17
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
54.7 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
1600 ft · 25 sec
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South
943 ft · 21 sec
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20
Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi · 4 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
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21
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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22
Turn left
45 m · 11 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Kansas 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 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.
Sunny leaving Hays and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 265.1 miles (426.7 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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 132.4 miles from Hays and 132.7 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.26 one way or $70.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
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 Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 252.84 mi (406.9 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Armstrong Avenue (-94.627458, 39.114578)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 427 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.77 | $79.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.51 | $87.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.59 | $99.18 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.