How far is Smith Center, KS from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance from Smith Center, KS to Kansas City, KS is about 263.2 miles (423.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m 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 04h 25m.
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 Riley County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smith Center and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith Center and Kansas City.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 1st Street
67 m · 12 sec · East 1st Street
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3
Turn right onto North Main Street
2195 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
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4
Turn right
11.8 mi · 14 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
1001 ft · 29 sec
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6
Turn right
19.2 mi · 22 min
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7
Turn left
91.6 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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8
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road
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9
Turn left onto Madison Road
9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road
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10
Turn right
8.6 mi · 10 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
82 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
1.4 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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14
Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.6 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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15
Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard
2191 ft · 1 min · Fort Riley Boulevard
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16
Take the exit right toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
8.5 mi · 10 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I-70 East, Topeka
1046 ft · 26 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
35.7 mi · 36 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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19
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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20
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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22
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
54.7 mi · 56 min · Kansas Turnpike
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
1600 ft · 25 sec
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South
943 ft · 21 sec
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25
Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi · 4 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
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26
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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27
Turn left
45 m · 11 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smith Center and Kansas City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
91.6 mi · 01h 50m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Smith Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smith Center to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 263.2 miles (423.6 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Riley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.7 miles from Smith Center and 128.5 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.7 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 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.03 one way or $70.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Smith Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Riley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Olsburg
Riley City Clerk
City Park S
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Riley.
Topeka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Smith Center and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 226.51 mi (364.54 km).
#1 Smith Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,553 |
| Coordinates | 39.7791800, -98.7850700 |
| Altitude | 547 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Armstrong Avenue (-94.627458, 39.114578)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 424 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.03 | $70.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.24 | $86.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.27 | $98.55 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.