How far is Kansas City, KS from WaKeeney, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to WaKeeney, KS is about 296.3 miles (476.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 09m 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 04m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and WaKeeney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and WaKeeney.
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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
146.6 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 40 Business: WaKeeney, Hill City
1027 ft · 25 sec
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9
Turn right
1.1 km · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Barclay Avenue
2188 ft · 39 sec · Barclay Avenue
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11
Turn right onto South 8th Street
593 ft · 26 sec · South 8th Street
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12
Turn right onto South Railroad Avenue
95 m · 14 sec · South Railroad Avenue
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13
Keep slight left to continue on South Railroad Avenue
31 m · 4 sec · South Railroad Avenue
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14
Turn straight
27 m · 5 sec
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15
Continue on North 8th Street
121 m · 17 sec · North 8th Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and WaKeeney.
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
147 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kansas City and Sunny near WaKeeney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to WaKeeney?
The road trip is about 296.3 miles (476.9 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?
Abilene is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.9 miles from Kansas City and 148.5 miles from WaKeeney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 6:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.44 one way or $78.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kansas City and Sunny near WaKeeney.
Stop Ideas Near Abilene
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 Abilene.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and WaKeeney. Straight-line distance: 281.77 mi (453.46 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 WaKeeney
County seat in Kansas
| Population | 1,738 |
| Coordinates | 39.0250100, -99.8795700 |
| Altitude | 746 |
| Country | United States |
End: WaKeeney (-99.87957, 39.02501)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 477 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.44 | $78.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.49 | $88.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.68 | $97.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.48 | $110.96 |
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.