How far is Salina, KS from Arkansas City, KS?

The driving distance from Salina, KS to Arkansas City, KS is about 148.8 miles (239.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.8 miles (204 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
148.83 mi
02h 48m
Flight
126.77 mi
204.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salina.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.77 mi
Kilometers
204.02 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.83 mi
Kilometers
239.52 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 02h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arkansas City
Thu, Apr 16, 5:09 AM CDT
Return by in Salina
Thu, Apr 16, 7:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salina
2026-04-16T02:20
Arrive Arkansas City
Thu, Apr 16, 5:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salina
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Valley Center
KS

Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas

From Salina
74.5 mi
01h 24m
To Arkansas City
74.3 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Arkansas City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Arkansas City.

  1. 1

    Start on South 8th Street

    28 m · 6 sec · South 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Iron Avenue

    672 ft · 35 sec · West Iron Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Santa Fe Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Santa Fe Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Claflin Avenue

    965 ft · 25 sec · West Claflin Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South 9th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South 9th Street

  6. 6

    Turn right

    43 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Magnolia Road

    1753 ft · 50 sec · West Magnolia Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left

    1310 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    57.3 mi · 57 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    30.2 mi · 35 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South: Oklahoma City

    1773 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

    37.6 mi · 38 min · Kansas Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 166, US 81: Arkansas City, South Haven

    1284 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 160th Street South

    16.1 mi · 25 min · East 160th Street South

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 8th Street

    1290 ft · 37 sec · South 8th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Washington Avenue

    1439 ft · 45 sec · West Washington Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    871 ft · 26 sec · South 4th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Central Avenue

    1641 ft · 49 sec · West Central Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right

    37 m · 9 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Arkansas City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Magnolia Road
90.3 mi · 61%
Kansas Turnpike
37.6 mi · 25%
East 160th Street South
16.1 mi · 11%
South Santa Fe Avenue
1.8 mi · 1%
South 9th Street
1.11 mi · 1%
I 35 South
0.34 mi
Longest Stretch

West Magnolia Road

Merge slight left

57.3 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22 mi
126.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valley Center
01h 24m from Salina
Leave By
12:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Salina and Mostly Sunny near Arkansas City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salina to Arkansas City?

The road trip is about 148.8 miles (239.5 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Valley Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.5 miles from Salina and 74.3 miles from Arkansas City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 126.8 miles (204 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 12:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.80 one way or $39.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Mostly Sunny near Arkansas City.

Stop Ideas Near Valley Center

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Valley Center and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.3 mi away

City Hall Parking

Wichita , KS
455S N Main St, Wichita, KS 67202
Rating 2.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
City of Wichita ​City Hall
Meeting point 12.2 mi away

City of Wichita ​City Hall

Wichita , KS
455 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67202
Rating 3.8/5 45 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.2 mi away

Wichita Municipal Court clerk

Wichita , KS
455 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67202
Rating 3.3/5 21 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Valley Center.

RAIL

Newton

24 mi away
414 North Main St.
RAIL

Hutchinson

55 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Arkansas City. Straight-line distance: 126.77 mi (204.02 km).

Salina

#1 Salina

The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.

Population46,274
Coordinates38.8402800, -97.6114200
Altitude373
CountryUnited States
Arkansas City

#2 Arkansas City

City in Cowley County, Kansas, United States

Population11,669
Coordinates37.0619700, -97.0383700
Altitude341
CountryUnited States
Start: Salina (-97.61142, 38.84028)
End: Arkansas City (-97.03837, 37.06197)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 240 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.25 gal
19.88 L · about $19.80
Round trip
$39.60
10.5 gal · 39.76 L
Estimated CO2
46.7 kg one way
Round trip: 93.3 kg / 206 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.80 $39.60
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.33 $44.66
Premium $4.65 $24.43 $48.87
Diesel $5.30 $27.85 $55.69

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Salina and Arkansas City. The current time is 02:20:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.