How far is Wichita, KS from Hays, KS?
The driving distance from Wichita, KS to Hays, KS is about 183.7 miles (295.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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 02h 41m.
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.
Human settlement in Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wichita and Hays.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wichita and Hays.
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1
Start on the route
109 m · 28 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Central Avenue
557 ft · 20 sec · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Broadway Street
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4
Turn right onto East 13th Street North
1.4 km · 2 min · East 13th Street North
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5
Take the ramp slight left
1260 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left
22.3 mi · 24 min
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7
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
63.2 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Hays
1185 ft · 42 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
91.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 183, Hays, Stockton
1010 ft · 25 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto North Vine Street
79 m · 7 sec · North Vine Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
944 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
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15
Continue on North Vine Street
99 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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17
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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20
Turn right onto East 27th Street
1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street
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21
Turn left onto Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn right
89 m · 21 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wichita and Hays.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
91.3 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Wichita and Sunny near Hays.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wichita to Hays?
The road trip is about 183.7 miles (295.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Trenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.7 miles from Wichita and 92 miles from Hays.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.2 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 1:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.44 one way or $48.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Wichita and Sunny near Hays.
Stop Ideas Near Trenton
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 Trenton.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wichita and Hays. Straight-line distance: 135.51 mi (218.08 km).
#1 Wichita
The largest city in Kansas and the center of the Wichita metropolitan area.
| Population | 391,731 |
| Coordinates | 37.6922400, -97.3375400 |
| Altitude | 396 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-99.32671, 38.879268)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.44 | $48.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.56 | $55.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.16 | $60.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.37 | $68.74 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.