How far is Merriam, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Merriam, KS to Hays, KS is about 266.4 miles (428.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m 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 04h 01m.
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 Merriam and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merriam and Hays.
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1
Start on the route
36 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right onto Kessler Lane
145 m · 28 sec · Kessler Lane
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3
Turn left onto Johnson Drive
755 ft · 26 sec · Johnson Drive
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 35 North: Des Moines
1074 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 635 North: K.C.I. Airport
1681 ft · 32 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 635 North: K.C.I. Airport
689 ft · 17 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Harry Darby Memorial Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Harry Darby Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West: Topeka
1475 ft · 42 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Kansas Turnpike
50.8 mi · 52 min · Kansas Turnpike
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
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12
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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13
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
115.5 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
1010 ft · 25 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto North Vine Street
79 m · 7 sec · North Vine Street
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street
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17
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
944 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
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18
Continue on North Vine Street
99 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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20
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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22
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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23
Turn right onto East 27th Street
1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street
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24
Turn left onto Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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26
Turn right
89 m · 21 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merriam 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 Merriam and Sunny near Hays.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merriam to Hays?
The road trip is about 266.4 miles (428.7 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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 133.7 miles from Merriam and 132.7 miles from Hays.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.45 one way or $70.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Merriam 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 Merriam and Hays. Straight-line distance: 249.13 mi (400.93 km).
#1 Merriam
City in Johnson County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,128 |
| Coordinates | 39.0236200, -94.6935700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| 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: 429 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 52m |
| 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 | $35.45 | $70.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.98 | $79.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.75 | $87.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.86 | $99.72 |
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.