How far is Salina, KS from De Soto, KS?

The driving distance from Salina, KS to De Soto, KS is about 157.2 miles (253 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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
157.23 mi
02h 49m
Flight
142.41 mi
229.18 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
142.41 mi
Kilometers
229.18 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.23 mi
Kilometers
253.03 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in De Soto
Sun, Apr 19, 3:05 AM CDT
Return by in Salina
Sun, Apr 19, 5:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salina
2026-04-19T00:16
Arrive De Soto
Sun, Apr 19, 3:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 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
McFarland
KS

City in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States of America

From Salina
78.5 mi
01h 24m
To De Soto
78.8 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph WSW
Destination
66°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and De Soto.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salina and De Soto.

  1. 1

    Start on South 8th Street

    28 m · 9 sec · South 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Iron Avenue

    85 m · 16 sec · West Iron Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 9th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · North 9th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 70 East: Topeka

    1240 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    22.1 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kansas Turnpike

    14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence

    2307 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Lawrence Trafficway

    24.1 mi · 27 min · South Lawrence Trafficway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Lexington Avenue

    2113 ft · 54 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

    2038 ft · 51 sec · Lexington Avenue

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lexington Avenue

    14 m · 1 sec · Lexington Avenue

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Lexington Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Lexington Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Ottawa Street

    2267 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West 82nd Street

    927 ft · 41 sec · West 82nd Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 82nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and De Soto.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi · 57%
South Lawrence Trafficway
24.1 mi · 15%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23.2 mi · 15%
Kansas Turnpike
14 mi · 9%
North 9th Street
2.42 mi · 2%
Lexington Avenue
1.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.8 mi
142.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McFarland
01h 24m from Salina
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Salina and Sunny near De Soto.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salina to De Soto?

The road trip is about 157.2 miles (253 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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 78.5 miles from Salina and 78.8 miles from De Soto.

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

The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.93 one way or $41.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Sunny near De Soto.

Stop Ideas Near McFarland

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around McFarland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McFarland.

RAIL

Topeka

49 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place
RAIL

Lawrence

87 mi away
413 East 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salina and De Soto. Straight-line distance: 142.41 mi (229.18 km).

Salina

#1 Salina

The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.

Population46,274
Coordinates38.8402800, -97.6114200
Altitude373
CountryUnited States
De Soto

#2 De Soto

City in Kansas, United States of America

Population6,648
Coordinates38.9791700, -94.9685800
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Start: Salina (-97.61142, 38.84028)
End: De Soto (-94.96858, 38.97917)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.55 gal
21 L · about $20.93
Round trip
$41.86
11.1 gal · 42 L
Estimated CO2
49.3 kg one way
Round trip: 98.6 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.93 $41.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.60 $47.21
Premium $4.65 $25.83 $51.66
Diesel $5.30 $29.44 $58.87

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Salina and De Soto. The current time is 00:16:01.

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.