How far is Kansas City, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Hays, KS is about 265.3 miles (427 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 38m 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 03h 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, 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 Kansas City and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Hays.
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1
Start on the route
45 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
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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
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi · 1 hr 34 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 Kansas 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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kansas 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 Kansas City to Hays?
The road trip is about 265.3 miles (427 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Chapman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.6 miles from Kansas City and 132.7 miles from Hays.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 9:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.30 one way or $70.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near Hays.
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 Kansas City and Hays. Straight-line distance: 252.84 mi (406.9 km).
#1 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| 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: 427 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.30 | $70.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.81 | $79.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.56 | $87.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.65 | $99.29 |
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 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.