How far is Wichita, KS from Wathena, KS?
The driving distance from Wichita, KS to Wathena, KS is about 218.8 miles (352.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 192.3 miles (309.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m 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 03m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wichita and Wathena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wichita and Wathena.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right
57 m · 16 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Market Street
110 m · 17 sec · North Market Street
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4
Turn left onto East 3rd Street North
113 m · 20 sec · East 3rd Street North
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5
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
2035 ft · 40 sec · North Broadway Street
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6
Continue on South Broadway Avenue
2693 ft · 1 min · South Broadway Avenue
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7
Turn left onto East Kellogg Drive
116 m · 11 sec · East Kellogg Drive
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8
Take the ramp straight toward US 54 East
1202 ft · 29 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7.2 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike Toll, Kansas City, Oklahoma City
137 m · 11 sec
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11
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Kansas Turnpike
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
54.9 mi · 55 min · Kansas Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I-70 West, US 40 West, KS 4 West: Topeka, Valley Falls
1.1 km · 49 sec
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15
Continue straight
3063 ft · 40 sec
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16
Keep slight left
140 m · 11 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Oakland Expressway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Oakland Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right
2923 ft · 52 sec
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19
Take the exit slight right
1333 ft · 40 sec
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20
Turn left onto Northeast Sherman Road
29.4 mi · 34 min · Northeast Sherman Road
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21
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 26 min
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22
Continue on Southwest 59 Highway
13.4 mi · 17 min · Southwest 59 Highway
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23
Continue on Memorial Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Memorial Highway
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24
Turn left onto Alabama Street
826 ft · 16 sec · Alabama Street
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25
Turn right onto Stockyards Expressway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Stockyards Expressway
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26
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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27
Turn straight
113 m · 16 sec
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28
Turn left onto US 36 West: Kansas
1194 ft · 25 sec
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29
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
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30
Turn left onto Saint Joseph Street
1417 ft · 44 sec · Saint Joseph Street
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31
Turn right onto South 5th Street
28 m · 4 sec · South 5th Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wichita and Wathena.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wichita and Mostly Sunny near Wathena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wichita to Wathena?
The road trip is about 218.8 miles (352.1 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.4 miles from Wichita and 109.4 miles from Wathena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 192.3 miles (309.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 8:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.11 one way or $58.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wichita and Mostly Sunny near Wathena.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wichita and Wathena. Straight-line distance: 192.24 mi (309.38 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 Wathena
City in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States of America
| Population | 1,272 |
| Coordinates | 39.7591600, -94.9496900 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wathena (-94.94969, 39.75916)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.11 | $58.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.83 | $65.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.93 | $71.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.95 | $81.89 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.