How far is Wakarusa, KS from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance from Wakarusa, KS to Kansas City, KS is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 09m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wakarusa and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakarusa and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Southwest Kingston Road
9 m · 3 sec · Southwest Kingston Road
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2
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
55 m · 11 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Southwest Jordan Road
1591 ft · 1 min · Southwest Jordan Road
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4
Continue on Southwest 97th Street
2738 ft · 2 min · Southwest 97th Street
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5
Turn left onto Southwest Topeka Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Southwest Topeka Boulevard
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6
Turn left
1196 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 East, I 335
2324 ft · 57 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
2667 ft · 52 sec · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I-70 East: Lawrence, Kansas City
2170 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
60.4 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Kansas Turnpike
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12
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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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South
943 ft · 21 sec
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14
Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi · 4 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
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15
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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16
Turn left
45 m · 11 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wakarusa and Kansas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Kansas Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
60.4 mi · 01h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Wakarusa and Sunny near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wakarusa to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Wakarusa and 36.1 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 4:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.62 one way or $19.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wakarusa and Sunny near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Lawrence
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 Lawrence.
Lawrence
Topeka
Union Station
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wakarusa and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 59.5 mi (95.75 km).
#1 Wakarusa
Census-designated place in Shawnee County, Kansas
| Population | 2,174 |
| Coordinates | 38.8858400, -95.6958200 |
| Altitude | 290 |
| 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: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.62 | $19.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.85 | $21.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.87 | $23.74 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
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.