How far is Salina, KS from Paola, KS?
The driving distance from Salina, KS to Paola, KS is about 191.7 miles (308.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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 03h 31m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Paola.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Paola.
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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
14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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10
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
2307 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn right onto South Lawrence Trafficway
31.6 mi · 35 min · South Lawrence Trafficway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward KS 7 South: Olathe
2110 ft · 52 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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15
Turn left onto West Old 56 Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · West Old 56 Highway
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16
Turn right onto South Harrison Street
21.3 mi · 25 min · South Harrison Street
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Baptiste Drive
1057 ft · 28 sec
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18
Turn right onto Baptiste Drive
765 ft · 26 sec · Baptiste Drive
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19
Turn left onto Hedge Lane
102 m · 12 sec · Hedge Lane
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20
Turn right onto East Peoria Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Peoria Street
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21
Turn left onto South Silver Street
68 m · 9 sec · South Silver Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Silver Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Paola.
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 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 Salina and Clear near Paola.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salina to Paola?
The road trip is about 191.7 miles (308.5 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Willard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.7 miles from Salina and 96 miles from Paola.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.3 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 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.53 one way or $51.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Clear near Paola.
Stop Ideas Near Willard
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 Willard.
Topeka
Lawrence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Paola. Straight-line distance: 148.47 mi (238.94 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 Paola
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,108 |
| Coordinates | 38.5722400, -94.8791300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paola (-94.87913, 38.57224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 309 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.53 | $51.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.79 | $57.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.51 | $63.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.91 | $71.82 |
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.