How far is Kansas City, KS from Abilene, KS?

The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Abilene, KS is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
149.64 mi
02h 38m
Flight
139.51 mi
224.52 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kansas City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.51 mi
Kilometers
224.52 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.64 mi
Kilometers
240.83 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Abilene
Thu, Apr 16, 11:12 AM CDT
Return by in Kansas City
Thu, Apr 16, 1:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kansas City
2026-04-16T08:34
Arrive Abilene
Thu, Apr 16, 11:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kansas City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Willard
KS

City in Kansas, United States

From Kansas City
74.7 mi
01h 19m
To Abilene
75 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Abilene.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Abilene.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    45 m · 13 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

    86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka

    54.3 mi · 56 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike

    1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike

  6. 6

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    91.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center

    947 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Buckeye Avenue

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North Buckeye Avenue

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Buckeye Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Abilene.

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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.3 mi · 61%
I 70 West
54.3 mi · 36%
North Buckeye Avenue
1.64 mi · 1%
North 7th Street Trafficway
1.28 mi · 1%
Kansas Turnpike
0.92 mi · 1%
KS 15
0.18 mi
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

91.3 mi · 01h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.1 mi
139.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willard
01h 19m from Kansas City
Leave By
1:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Kansas City and Sunny near Abilene.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Abilene?

The road trip is about 149.6 miles (240.8 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?

Willard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Kansas City and 75 miles from Abilene.

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

The direct path is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 1:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.91 one way or $39.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near Abilene.

Stop Ideas Near Willard

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Willard, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Willard.

RAIL

Topeka

24 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place
RAIL

Lawrence

63 mi away
413 East 7th Street
RAIL

Union Station

117 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Abilene. Straight-line distance: 139.51 mi (224.52 km).

Kansas City

#1 Kansas City

The second most populous city in Kansas.

Population152,960
Coordinates39.1141700, -94.6274600
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Abilene

#2 Abilene

City in Kansas, United States

Population6,123
Coordinates38.9172200, -97.2139100
Altitude352
CountryUnited States
Start: Kansas City (-94.62746, 39.11417)
End: Abilene (-97.21391, 38.91722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 241 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.28 gal
19.99 L · about $19.91
Round trip
$39.82
10.56 gal · 39.98 L
Estimated CO2
46.9 kg one way
Round trip: 93.8 kg / 207 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.91 $39.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.46 $44.91
Premium $4.65 $24.57 $49.15
Diesel $5.30 $28.01 $56.01

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Kansas City and Abilene. The current time is 08:34:02.

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.