The Cost of Driving from Downtown Kansas City to Manhattan, Kansas: A Budget-Friendly Guide Based on Current Gas Prices
Planning a trip from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, to beautiful Manhattan, Kansas? Whether you're heading to visit friends, checking out the local sights, or attending a game at Kansas State University, knowing the cost of your journey can help you budget better. In this post, we'll explore different routes, their distances, travel times, and estimated costs based on current gas prices. Let’s get started!
Route 1: The I-70 East Route
The most direct and well-known route from downtown Kansas City to Manhattan is via I-70 East.
- Distance: Approximately 120 miles
- Estimated Time: Around 2 hours
- Gas Cost: With current gas prices hovering around $3.50 per gallon and assuming your vehicle gets around 25 miles per gallon, you’ll need about 4.8 gallons of gas. This brings your gas cost to about $17.
On this route, you won't encounter any tolls, which is a bonus for your wallet! Overall, it’s a straightforward drive that efficiently connects the two cities.
Route 2: The US-24 West Route
Looking for a scenic alternative? Route your trip through US-24 West for a change of pace.
- Distance: Roughly 135 miles
- Estimated Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Gas Cost: Again, with gas prices at $3.50 per gallon, and factoring in your vehicle’s efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you’ll need about 5.4 gallons. This totals approximately $19 for gas.
Although this route is a bit longer and will take extra time compared to the I-70 route, you might enjoy the views as you drive through rural Kansas. There are no tolls on this route as well, making it budget-friendly.
Route 3: The I-470 and I-70 Route
For those who don’t mind a little detour, consider the I-470 and I-70 route.
- Distance: About 130 miles
- Estimated Time: Around 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Gas Cost: Using the same gas price and efficiency calculations, you would need about 5.2 gallons, leading to a total gas cost of approximately $18.
This route might be slightly longer than Route 1, but it can be less congested during peak travel times, adding to your driving comfort. Plus, just like the others, this route doesn’t have tolls, keeping your costs down.
With these three options in mind, you can weigh your preferences based on distance, time, and cost for your journey from downtown Kansas City to Manhattan, Kansas. Each route provides a different experience, so choose the one that fits your travel style best. Happy driving!