How far is Smith Center, KS from Shawnee, KS?
The driving distance from Smith Center, KS to Shawnee, KS is about 266 miles (428.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 222.9 miles (358.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Smith Center and Shawnee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith Center and Shawnee.
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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
48.7 mi · 50 min · Kansas Turnpike
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23
Take the exit slight right toward College Parkway
1178 ft · 29 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Turner Diagonal
119 m · 10 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi · 2 min · Turner Diagonal
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26
Continue straight
1.5 km · 2 min
-
27
Turn right onto South 55th Street
1857 ft · 53 sec · South 55th Street
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28
Turn slight right
51 m · 7 sec
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29
Turn straight onto Inland Drive
2653 ft · 1 min · Inland Drive
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30
Turn left onto South 59th Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · South 59th Street
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31
Turn right onto 47th Street
1822 ft · 55 sec · 47th Street
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32
Turn left onto Bond Street
977 ft · 43 sec · Bond Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bond Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Smith Center and Shawnee.
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.
Sunny leaving Smith Center and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shawnee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Smith Center to Shawnee?
The road trip is about 266 miles (428.1 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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 miles from Smith Center and 132 miles from Shawnee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 222.9 miles (358.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.1 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 8:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.41 one way or $70.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Smith Center and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shawnee.
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 Shawnee. Straight-line distance: 222.87 mi (358.68 km).
#1 Smith Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,553 |
| Coordinates | 39.7791800, -98.7850700 |
| Altitude | 547 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shawnee
The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.
| Population | 66,298 |
| Coordinates | 39.0416700, -94.7202400 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bond Street (-94.719801, 39.041669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 428 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.41 | $70.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.94 | $79.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.70 | $87.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.80 | $99.61 |
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 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.