How far is Junction City, KS from Ulysses, KS?
The driving distance from Junction City, KS to Ulysses, KS is about 287.3 miles (462.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 264.8 miles (426.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 39m 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 05h 49m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Junction City and Ulysses.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Junction City and Ulysses.
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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
49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
931 ft · 28 sec
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9
Turn left
47.9 mi · 56 min
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10
Take the ramp slight right
3.8 mi · 6 min
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11
Turn left onto Main Street
2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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12
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn left
19.3 mi · 23 min
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15
Turn left onto Broadway Street
1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street
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16
Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street
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17
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue
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18
Turn right onto East 10th Street
31.3 mi · 36 min · East 10th Street
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19
Turn left
3.1 mi · 4 min
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20
Turn left
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
21
Keep slight right
833 ft · 11 sec
-
22
Turn straight
32.4 mi · 39 min
-
23
Turn right
16.6 mi · 29 min
-
24
Continue straight
27 mi · 36 min
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25
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
1563 ft · 48 sec · South Missouri Street
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26
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
92 m · 15 sec · East Grant Avenue
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27
Turn right onto North Court Street
69 m · 10 sec · North Court Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Court Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Junction City and Ulysses.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Junction City and Mostly Sunny near Ulysses.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Junction City to Ulysses?
The road trip is about 287.3 miles (462.3 km) and usually takes 05h 49m 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?
Larned is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.4 miles from Junction City and 143.8 miles from Ulysses.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 264.8 miles (426.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 5:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.24 one way or $76.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Junction City and Mostly Sunny near Ulysses.
Stop Ideas Near Larned
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 Larned.
Dodge City
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Junction City and Ulysses. Straight-line distance: 264.83 mi (426.21 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 Ulysses
City in and the county seat of Grant County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 5,546 |
| Coordinates | 37.5814100, -101.3551700 |
| Altitude | 930 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ulysses (-101.35517, 37.58141)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 462 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.13 | $86.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.19 | $94.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.78 | $107.57 |
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.