How far is Kansas City, KS from Wakarusa, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Wakarusa, KS is about 70.7 miles (113.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m 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 01h 22m.
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.
City in Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Wakarusa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Wakarusa.
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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 left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
6.7 mi · 7 min · Kansas Turnpike
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 West, US 75: Topeka, Salina
999 ft · 28 sec
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7
Continue on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
120 m · 17 sec · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Topeka Boulevard
878 ft · 21 sec
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9
Continue straight
115 m · 9 sec
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10
Keep slight right
76 m · 6 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Southwest Topeka Boulevard
7 mi · 11 min · Southwest Topeka Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Southwest 97th Street
2738 ft · 2 min · Southwest 97th Street
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13
Continue on Southwest Jordan Road
1591 ft · 1 min · Southwest Jordan Road
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14
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
55 m · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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15
Turn left onto Southwest Kingston Road
9 m · 1 sec · Southwest Kingston Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest Kingston Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Wakarusa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Sunny leaving Kansas City and Sunny near Wakarusa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Wakarusa?
The road trip is about 70.7 miles (113.8 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?
Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.3 miles from Kansas City and 35.4 miles from Wakarusa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.43 one way or $18.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near Wakarusa.
Stop Ideas Near Lawrence
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 Lawrence.
Lawrence
Topeka
Union Station
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Wakarusa. Straight-line distance: 59.5 mi (95.75 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 Wakarusa
Census-designated place in Shawnee County, Kansas
| Population | 2,174 |
| Coordinates | 38.8858400, -95.6958200 |
| Altitude | 290 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wakarusa (-95.69582, 38.88584)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 114 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.43 | $18.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.63 | $21.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.64 | $23.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.26 | $26.52 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.