How far is Hays, KS from Merriam, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Merriam, KS is about 267 miles (429.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 10m 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 35m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Merriam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Merriam.
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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
51.8 mi · 53 min · Kansas Turnpike
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 635 South
2322 ft · 30 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Harry Darby Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, US 69 North: Wichita, Des Moines
667 ft · 16 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South: Wichita
949 ft · 23 sec
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22
Merge slight right
1.3 mi · 2 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Johnson Drive
967 ft · 27 sec
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24
Turn right onto Johnson Drive
75 m · 7 sec · Johnson Drive
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25
Turn right onto Kessler Lane
145 m · 26 sec · Kessler Lane
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26
Turn left
36 m · 9 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Merriam.
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 Mostly Sunny near Merriam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Merriam?
The road trip is about 267 miles (429.7 km) and usually takes 04h 35m 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 133.2 miles from Hays and 133.8 miles from Merriam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 7:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.52 one way or $71.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Mostly Sunny near Merriam.
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 Merriam. Straight-line distance: 249.13 mi (400.93 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merriam
City in Johnson County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,128 |
| Coordinates | 39.0236200, -94.6935700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merriam (-94.69357, 39.02362)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 430 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.06 | $80.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.84 | $87.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.96 | $99.93 |
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.