Kansas Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

There is nothing more special and scenic than a drive through the Sunflower State. This is one of the best ways to explore and admire the beauty and attractions found within Kansas. But it is easy to feel overwhelmed as you choose the perfect Kansas road trip itinerary. So, that’s where we come in. Below are 11 of our best Kansas road trip ideas. From one-day road trips to routes that take you to some of the best small towns in the Sunflower State, there is something for everyone. So, grab some snacks, fuel up the car, and let’s hit the road and experience some of the best road trips in Kansas!

1. 1-Day Road Trip in Kansas

• Route: Cheyenne Bottoms > Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
• Distance: 77 miles
• Trip Time: 1.5 hours driving time

For a single-day adventure, explore the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway. This 77-mile scenic byway connects two incredible wetlands: Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Not only will you see remarkable views, but you will want to keep your eyes open for all types of wildlife. Plus, you’ll also drive through towns like Hoisington, Great Bend, and St. John.

2. 3-Day Weekend Road Trip in Kansas

• Route: Mushroom Rock State Park > Lucas > Cheyenne Bottoms > Cedar Bluff State Park
• Distance: 260 miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

This may be one of our favorite road trips through Kansas. Your journey will take you to several of the most scenic destinations in the western part of the state. You’ll visit remarkable attractions like Mushroom Rock State Park, Cheyenne Bottoms, and Monument Rocks Natural Landmark. If you complete this trip in its entirety, be prepared to fall in love with Kansas all over again.

3. Kansas Waterfall Road Trip

• Route: Alcove Springs > Geary State Lake Waterfall > Chase Lake Falls > Cowley Lake Waterfall > Eureka City Lake Falls > Edgerton City Lake Falls > Cedar Creek Falls
• Distance: 630 miles
• Trip Time: 11 hours driving time

The Sunflower State may not be known for its waterfalls but that doesn’t mean you won’t find incredible falls around the state. This road trip will take you to some of the best waterfalls in Kansas, including Alcove Springs, Chase Lake Falls, and Cedar Creek Falls. Now, this route will require approximately 11 hours of drive time, so we strongly suggest you break this trip up into several days—you won’t want to rush your visit at each waterfall.

4. Kansas Rock Formation Road Trip

• Route: Rock City Park, Minneapolis > Mushroom Rock State Park, Brookville > Monument Rocks, Lewis
• Distance: 230 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 45 minutes driving time

On this road trip in Kansas, you can visit three of the most spectacular rock formations that the Sunflower State has to offer. This trip is short, requiring less than four hours of drive time, but it is certainly scenic. We suggest breaking this road trip up over a weekend so you can take your time at each stop like Rock City Park in Minneapolis and Mushroom Rock State Park in Brookville. This is one Kansas road trip that is easy, short, and wonderful. In fact, it is one of our favorite scenic trips in Kansas.

5. Best Kansas Road Trip for Spring

• Route: Santa Fe Lake Falls > Beautiful Day Café, Wichita > Dyck Arboretum, Hesston > Coronado Heights Castle, Lindsborg > Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast, Abilene > Geary State Fishing Lake > Deep Creek Waterfall > The Wheel Barrel, Topeka > The Japanese Friendship Garden, Lawrence > Castle Tea Room, Lawrence
• Distance: 300 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hours driving time

Spring is a magical time of year, so why not celebrate it on a fairytale road trip? This Kansas road trip itinerary is perfect for a two-day or three-day adventure and will take you to waterfalls, arboretums, and tasty places to eat. This journey is beautiful, scenic, and delicious—it’s magical in every way.

6. Best Summer Road Trip in Kansas

• Route: Monument Rocks > Castle Rock > Gypsum Hills > Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area > Konza Prairie > Mushroom Rock State Park
• Distance: 770 miles
• Trip Time: 14 hours driving time

During the hot summer months of the year, get out and explore some of the best natural wonders in Kansas. This 14-hour road trip is long, but you will visit some pretty extraordinary sights like the Gypsum Hills and Konza Prairie. Give yourself plenty of time to discover—you won’t want to rush through this trip at all.

7. Best Kansas Road Trip for Fall

• Route: Hiawatha > White Cloud > Atchison > Leavenworth
• Distance: 80 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours driving time

There is nothing like welcoming in fall than on a road trip through Kansas to see fall foliage at its peak. This road trip itinerary in the Sunflower State is only two hours and takes you to several destinations where the fall foliage will amaze you, including the towns of Hiawatha and Atchison. This is one of our favorite road trips through Kansas, which is short yet breathtaking.

8. Best Winter Road Trip in Kansas

• Route: Christmas City of the High Plains, WaKeeney > Manhattan Festival of Lights at Blue Earth Plaza, Manhattan > Season of Lights, Wamego > TARC’s Winter Wonderland, Topeka > Paulie’s Penguin Playground, Olathe > David Traylor Zoo, Emporia > Christmas Lights on Gold Street, Wichita > Christmas in Kansas, Wichita
• Distance: 740 miles
• Trip Time: 12 hours driving time

Christmas lights are one of the best ways to enjoy the colder months of the year, and on this Christmas lights road trip through Kansas, you will get to see some of the best. This road trip requires approximately 12 hours of drive time, so we recommend spreading this trip into multiple days so you can enjoy each Christmas light display to its fullest. From WaKeeney to Wichita, this is one of the best road trips through Kansas and will put even Scrooge into the holiday spirit.

9. Best Family-Friendly Road Trip in Kansas

• Route: Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, Topeka > Bonkers, Topeka > OZ Museum, Wamego > Cosmosphere, Hutchinson > Dodge City
• Distance: 320 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hours driving time

For an adventure with the entire family in tow, check out this Kansas road trip itinerary. This family-friendly adventure will take you to some of the most exciting and entertaining destinations that the Sunflower State has to offer. From outdoor attractions like the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center to the popular Oz Museum, there is something on this trip that every member of the family will love.

10. Road Trip to Kansas Landmarks & Natural Wonders

• Route: World’s Largest Easel, Goodland > Monument Rocks, Scott City > Castle Rock, Gove County > World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City > Coronado Heights Castle, Saline County > Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
• Distance: 460 miles
• Trip Time: 8 hours driving time

Kansas may not be the first to come to mind when you think of bucket-list-worthy attractions and landmarks, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t incredible places to visit. In fact, this is one of the best Kansas road trips and will take you to six iconic landmarks and natural wonders in the Sunflower State. You’ll see unusual sights like the world’s largest ball of twine and beautiful natural wonders like Castle Rock in Larrabee. It’s one adventure where you’ll always want your camera handy!

11. Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Kansas

• Route: Wakeeney > Phillipsburg > Wamego > Council Grove > Cottonwood Falls > Lindsborg > Lucas
• Distance: 595 miles
• Trip Time: 10 hours driving time

If you truly want to experience the charm of the Sunflower State, you must visit some of its most picturesque small towns. This Kansas road trip will take you to several small towns throughout the Sunflower State, including Wakeeney, Council Grove, and Lindsborg. With seven charming towns to visit, all with populations less than 5,000, you will get to see what the heart and soul of Kansas is truly all about.

What other Kansas road trip ideas do you have? What do you consider the best drives in Kansas? For a little more travel inspiration in the Sunflower State, check out these gorgeous country backroads in Kansas. Of course, if you'd rather get out and explore on your own two feet than in a vehicle, here are some of the best hiking trails in Kansas for your bucket list.