How far is Newton, KS from Merriam, KS?
The driving distance from Newton, KS to Merriam, KS is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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 Lyon County, Kansas, United States
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 Newton and Merriam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newton and Merriam.
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1
Start on North Main Street
87 m · 16 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
119 m · 17 sec · East 5th Street
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3
Continue on North Oak Street
980 ft · 47 sec · North Oak Street
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4
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East Broadway Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
101 m · 7 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
1369 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left
2685 ft · 31 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
26.2 mi · 31 min
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US 50 East: Emporia
65 m · 9 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East: Emporia
42.8 mi · 51 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
111 m · 5 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
822 ft · 11 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward I 35 North: Kansas City
9 m · 1 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 North: Kansas City
1367 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left
94.6 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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16
Continue on I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
3.6 mi · 4 min
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17
Merge slight right
3.4 mi · 4 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Johnson Drive
696 ft · 33 sec
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19
Turn right onto Johnson Drive
718 ft · 18 sec · Johnson Drive
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20
Turn right onto Kessler Lane
145 m · 26 sec · Kessler Lane
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21
Turn left
36 m · 9 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Newton and Merriam.
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 35 North
Merge slight left
94.6 mi · 01h 37m
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 leaving Newton and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Merriam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Newton to Merriam?
The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Neosho Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Newton and 86.9 miles from Merriam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Newton and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Merriam.
Stop Ideas Near Neosho Rapids
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 Neosho Rapids.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Newton and Merriam. Straight-line distance: 158.39 mi (254.91 km).
#1 Newton
City in Kansas
| Population | 18,744 |
| Coordinates | 38.0466800, -97.3450400 |
| Altitude | 441 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merriam
City in Johnson County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,128 |
| Coordinates | 39.0236200, -94.6935700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merriam (-94.69357, 39.02362)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.07 | $52.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
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.