How far is Junction City, KS from Colby, KS?

The driving distance from Junction City, KS to Colby, KS is about 246.4 miles (396.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 227.4 miles (365.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
246.45 mi
04h 12m
Flight
227.37 mi
365.91 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Junction City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
227.37 mi
Kilometers
365.91 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
246.45 mi
Kilometers
396.63 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colby
Sat, Apr 11, 9:08 PM CDT
Return by in Junction City
Sun, Apr 12, 1:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Junction City
2026-04-11T16:56
Arrive Colby
Sat, Apr 11, 9:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Junction City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Gorham
KS

City in Kansas, USA

From Junction City
123 mi
02h 06m
To Colby
123.5 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
76°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Junction City and Colby.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Junction City and Colby.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jefferson Street

    40 m · 11 sec · North Jefferson Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 6th Street

    556 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Washington Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · North Washington Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    42 m · 3 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    1013 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    21.4 mi · 21 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    220.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti

    1176 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South Range Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · South Range Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    668 ft · 29 sec · West 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Junction City and Colby.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
221 mi · 90%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
21.4 mi · 9%
South Range Avenue
2.09 mi · 1%
North Washington Street
1.68 mi · 1%
KS 25
0.22 mi
West 3rd Street
0.13 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

221 mi · 03h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19 mi
227.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gorham
02h 06m from Junction City
Leave By
8:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Junction City and Rain Showers Likely near Colby.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Junction City to Colby?

The road trip is about 246.4 miles (396.6 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Gorham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123 miles from Junction City and 123.5 miles from Colby.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 227.4 miles (365.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 8:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.81 one way or $65.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Junction City and Rain Showers Likely near Colby.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Junction City and Colby. Straight-line distance: 227.37 mi (365.91 km).

Junction City

#1 Junction City

City in and county seat of Geary County, Kansas

Population21,482
Coordinates39.0286100, -96.8314000
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Colby

#2 Colby

City in Thomas County, Kansas, United States of America

Population5,315
Coordinates39.3958400, -101.0523800
Altitude963
CountryUnited States
Start: Junction City (-96.8314, 39.02861)
End: Colby (-101.05238, 39.39584)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 397 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.7 gal
32.92 L · about $32.81
Round trip
$65.62
17.4 gal · 65.84 L
Estimated CO2
77.3 kg one way
Round trip: 154.6 kg / 341 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.81 $65.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.00 $74.00
Premium $4.65 $40.49 $80.98
Diesel $5.30 $46.14 $92.29

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

There is no time difference between Junction City and Colby. The current time is 16:56:28.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.