How far is Smith Center, KS from Lenexa, KS?
The driving distance from Smith Center, KS to Lenexa, KS is about 264.7 miles (426 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 43m 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 21m.
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 Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smith Center and Lenexa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith Center and Lenexa.
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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
14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike
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23
Take the exit slight right toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence
2307 ft · 1 min
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24
Turn right onto South Lawrence Trafficway
35.4 mi · 39 min · South Lawrence Trafficway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard
119 m · 6 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines
3070 ft · 48 sec
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27
Keep slight right to continue on I 35: Wichita, Des Moines
1.4 mi · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Des Moines
3082 ft · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward 95th Street
805 ft · 20 sec
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31
Keep slight right to continue on 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
90 m · 7 sec
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32
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
58 m · 4 sec · West 95th Street
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33
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
1165 ft · 57 sec · Lenexa Drive
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34
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
152 m · 19 sec · Rosehill Road
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35
Turn right
22 m · 11 sec
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36
Turn left
78 m · 19 sec
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smith Center and Lenexa.
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 Rain Showers leaving Smith Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lenexa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smith Center to Lenexa?
The road trip is about 264.7 miles (426 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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 133.3 miles from Smith Center and 131.4 miles from Lenexa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 8:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.22 one way or $70.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Smith Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lenexa.
Stop Ideas Near Riley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Olsburg
Riley City Clerk
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 Lenexa. Straight-line distance: 223.79 mi (360.15 km).
#1 Smith Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,553 |
| Coordinates | 39.7791800, -98.7850700 |
| Altitude | 547 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lenexa
The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.
| Population | 56,156 |
| Coordinates | 38.9536200, -94.7335700 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-94.73357, 38.953456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 426 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.22 | $70.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.72 | $79.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.47 | $86.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.54 | $99.08 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.