How far is Hays, KS from Madison, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Madison, KS is about 229.3 miles (369 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180 miles (289.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 21m.
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.
Town in Kansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Madison.
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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
34.8 mi · 35 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 56, McPherson, Marion
1077 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
1688 ft · 31 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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17
Continue on Limestone Road
35.9 mi · 42 min · Limestone Road
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
57 m · 3 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
16.6 mi · 19 min
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20
Turn left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 50 East, Emporia
59 m · 3 sec
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22
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East, Emporia
1.3 mi · 2 min
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23
Turn right onto Prairie Street
2683 ft · 1 min · Prairie Street
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24
Turn left onto West South Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · West South Avenue
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25
Turn right onto South Commercial Street
10.4 mi · 15 min · South Commercial Street
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26
Continue on Road M
8.6 mi · 15 min · Road M
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27
Turn left onto West Madison
1.4 km · 2 min · West Madison
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28
Turn right onto 4th Street
1024 ft · 26 sec · 4th Street
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29
Turn left onto West Lincoln Street
128 m · 10 sec · West Lincoln Street
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30
Turn right onto 3rd Street
22 m · 3 sec · 3rd Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Madison.
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Hays and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Madison?
The road trip is about 229.3 miles (369 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Lindsborg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.5 miles from Hays and 114.8 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180 miles (289.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.3 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:18 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.13 one way or $62.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Hays and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Lindsborg
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 Lindsborg.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Madison. Straight-line distance: 180 mi (289.69 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Madison
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 606 |
| Coordinates | 38.1355800, -96.1358300 |
| Altitude | 334 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-96.13583, 38.13558)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 369 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.85 | $31.13 | $62.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.22 | $34.16 | $68.31 |
| Premium | $4.58 | $37.05 | $74.10 |
| Diesel | $5.96 | $48.24 | $96.48 |
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 · Nov 05, 2026