How far is Junction City, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Junction City, KS to Hays, KS is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m 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 04m.
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 Junction City and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Junction City and Hays.
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1
Start on North Jefferson Street
40 m · 11 sec · North Jefferson Street
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2
Turn left onto West 6th Street
556 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto North Washington Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North Washington Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
42 m · 3 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
1013 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
21.4 mi · 21 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
115.5 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
1010 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto North Vine Street
79 m · 7 sec · North Vine Street
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street
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11
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
944 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
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12
Continue on North Vine Street
99 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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17
Turn right onto East 27th Street
1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street
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18
Turn left onto Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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20
Turn right
89 m · 21 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Junction City and Hays.
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
Continue on 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Junction City and Sunny near Hays.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Junction City to Hays?
The road trip is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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 70.3 miles from Junction City and 70.3 miles from Hays.
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 6.1 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 2:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.70 one way or $37.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Junction City and Sunny near Hays.
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 Junction City and Hays. Straight-line distance: 134.47 mi (216.41 km).
#1 Junction City
City in and county seat of Geary County, Kansas
| Population | 21,482 |
| Coordinates | 39.0286100, -96.8314000 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-99.32671, 38.879268)
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 | $18.70 | $37.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.09 | $42.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.08 | $46.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.31 | $52.62 |
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.