How far is Leavenworth, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Leavenworth, KS to Hays, KS is about 266 miles (428.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238 miles (383.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m 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 57m.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Leavenworth and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth and Hays.
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1
Start on the route
84 m · 25 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Spruce Street
2974 ft · 1 min · Spruce Street
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3
Turn right onto South 4th Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · South 4th Street
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4
Continue on North Main Street
11.9 mi · 16 min · North Main Street
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5
Turn left onto I 70 West: Topeka
2222 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
40.1 mi · 40 min · Kansas Turnpike
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
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8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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9
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
115.5 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
1010 ft · 25 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto North Vine Street
79 m · 7 sec · North Vine Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
944 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
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14
Continue on North Vine Street
99 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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19
Turn right onto East 27th Street
1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street
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20
Turn left onto Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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22
Turn right
89 m · 21 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Leavenworth 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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Leavenworth and Sunny near Hays.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Leavenworth to Hays?
The road trip is about 266 miles (428.1 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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 133 miles from Leavenworth and 133.1 miles from Hays.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238 miles (383.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 9:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.41 one way or $70.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Leavenworth 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 Leavenworth and Hays. Straight-line distance: 238.03 mi (383.07 km).
#1 Leavenworth
City in Kansas
| Population | 35,934 |
| Coordinates | 39.3111100, -94.9224600 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| 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: 428 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.41 | $70.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.94 | $79.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.70 | $87.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.80 | $99.61 |
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.