How far is Salina, KS from Atchison, KS?
The driving distance from Salina, KS to Atchison, KS is about 162.8 miles (262 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Atchison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Atchison.
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1
Start on South 8th Street
28 m · 9 sec · South 8th Street
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2
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
85 m · 16 sec · West Iron Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 9th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · North 9th Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 70 East: Topeka
1240 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22.1 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 75 North: Gage Boulevard, Holton
970 ft · 24 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: Holton
1.5 mi · 2 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 East: Lawrence
3035 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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13
Take the exit slight right
1333 ft · 40 sec
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14
Turn left onto Northeast Sherman Road
29.4 mi · 34 min · Northeast Sherman Road
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15
Continue straight
14.7 mi · 17 min
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16
Turn left onto South 22nd Street
611 ft · 12 sec · South 22nd Street
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17
Turn right onto Woodlawn Avenue
2328 ft · 47 sec · Woodlawn Avenue
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18
Keep slight right
144 m · 9 sec
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19
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Turn left onto South 10th Street
792 ft · 24 sec · South 10th Street
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21
Turn right onto Kansas Avenue
1608 ft · 44 sec · Kansas Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Atchison.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
74.7 mi · 01h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Salina and Sunny near Atchison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salina to Atchison?
The road trip is about 162.8 miles (262 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?
McFarland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Salina and 81.5 miles from Atchison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.65 one way or $43.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Salina and Sunny near Atchison.
Stop Ideas Near McFarland
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 McFarland.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Atchison. Straight-line distance: 142.35 mi (229.09 km).
#1 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Atchison
City in Kansas, USA
| Population | 10,427 |
| Coordinates | 39.5630500, -95.1216400 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Atchison (-95.12164, 39.56305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.65 | $43.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.41 | $48.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.71 | $53.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.44 | $60.89 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.