How far is Wichita, KS from Paola, KS?
The driving distance from Wichita, KS to Paola, KS is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.8 miles (236.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 03h 13m.
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.
County seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wichita and Paola.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wichita and Paola.
-
1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right
57 m · 16 sec
-
3
Turn right onto North Market Street
110 m · 17 sec · North Market Street
-
4
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
113 m · 20 sec · East 3rd Street North
-
5
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
2035 ft · 40 sec · North Broadway Street
-
6
Continue on South Broadway Avenue
2693 ft · 1 min · South Broadway Avenue
-
7
Turn left onto East Kellogg Drive
116 m · 11 sec · East Kellogg Drive
-
8
Take the ramp straight toward US 54 East
1202 ft · 29 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7.2 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
137 m · 11 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Kansas Turnpike
-
13
Keep slight right
60.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward KS 68: Ottawa, Louisburg
1618 ft · 40 sec
-
15
Turn right
20.3 mi · 36 min
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Old Kansas City Road
5 m · 1 sec · Old Kansas City Road
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto Old Kansas City Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Old Kansas City Road
-
18
Continue on North Pearl Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Pearl Street
-
19
Continue on North Silver Street
2691 ft · 1 min · North Silver Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Silver Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wichita and Paola.
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
74.7 mi · 01h 15m
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 Wichita and Clear near Paola.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wichita to Paola?
The road trip is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Emporia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Wichita and 84.5 miles from Paola.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.8 miles (236.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.48 one way or $44.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wichita and Clear near Paola.
Stop Ideas Near Emporia
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 Emporia.
Topeka
Lawrence
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wichita and Paola. Straight-line distance: 146.79 mi (236.23 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 Paola
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,108 |
| Coordinates | 38.5722400, -94.8791300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paola (-94.87913, 38.57224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.48 | $44.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.35 | $50.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.74 | $55.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.61 | $63.22 |
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.