Kansas City to Denver Drive: Best Stops in 2023

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Looking for a Fun Road Trip from Kansas City to Denver?

I grew up in Kansas City and moved to Denver after I finished school. As a local of these two cities, I have made the Kansas City to Denver drive more times than I can count, so I’m here to highlight everything you need to know about this middle-America road trip.

What is the Kansas City to Denver Drive Time?

The drive time from Kansas City to Denver is about 8.5 hours. You will cover 600 miles on the direct route.

13 Best Stops between Kansas City and Denver

1. University of Kansas & Sunflowers in Lawrence

First Stop: Grinter Farms in Lawrence

Lawrence is known as the most progressive town in Kansas. Stroll along the University of Kansas campus or Massachusetts Street to experience a different vibe than you will find anywhere else in the state. If you are traveling in August or September, be sure to check out Grinter Sunflower Farms to see how The Sunflower State got its nickname.

2. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

Stop here to experience the most historically significant site in all of Kansas. This school was at the center of the 1954 court case that ended racial segregation in educational facilities across the US. There are now several exhibits at the site that any American history buff is sure to enjoy.

3. Kansas State Capitol

Kansas State Capitol on Kansas City to Denver road trip

One of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Kansas is its state capitol building. The visitor center offers tours of the building’s chambers, murals, and views from its dome.

4. Wizard of Oz Experiences in Wamego

Wamego between Denver and KC

For fans of the classic novel and film, Wamego is a must-see town. Discover movie memorabilia in the Oz Museum, have lunch at Toto’s Tacoz, or even walk along a replica of the yellow brick road in this Oz-themed downtown.

5. The Flint Hills & Kansas State University in Manhattan

K-State in Manhattan, KS

The Flint Hills are the largest remaining section of tallgrass prairie in the country. You can learn all about them in the Flint Hills Discovery Center or experience them for yourself just outside the city. Manhattan is also home to Kansas State University and the Aggieville entertainment district.

6. Milford Lake

Milford Lake is the largest lake in Kansas. Spend some time at this reservoir for boating, fishing, swimming, and more.

7. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum in Abilene

Stopping in Abline from Kansas City to Denver

Dwight D. Eisenhower wasn’t kidding when he said, “I come from the very heart of America.” In Abilene, you can find the official museum, library, and even the boyhood home of the 34th President.

8. Wilson State Park

Wilson State Park on Denver to Kansas City Drive

Wilson State Park is the perfect place to get some fresh air during your long drive. The park is full of outdoor recreation activities, including biking, hiking, wildlife watching, horseshoes, and more.

9. Cathedral of the Plains

St. Fidelis Basilica aka “The Cathedral of the Plains” was the largest church west of the Mississippi River when it was dedicated in 1911. Named one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas” and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this Romanesque-design church contains German windows, Austrian art, and an Italian marble altar.

10. Fick Fossil & History Museum

This museum houses fossils and other ancient artifacts such as mineral specimens and folk art. If you’d like to see some dinosaur bones, entrance to this museum is free (although donations are accepted).

11. World’s Largest Easel

Goodland Between Colorado and Kansas

If you are a Van Gogh fan, you’ll want to stop here for a 32×24-foot replica of one of his “Sunflower” paintings. There’s a parking lot and plenty of space to take a photo with the 80-foot-tall easel.

12. Mt. Sunflower

Perfect stop on Kansas City to Denver Drive: Mount Sunflower

Located just before the border of Colorado is the highest elevation point in Kansas, Mount Sunflower. At 4,039 feet, this is a tongue-in-cheek joke because it’s not a mountain at all, but there are some amenities at the site such as a picnic table and sunflower sculpture made from railroad spikes. There’s also a registration book where visitors can write their name and where they’re from.

13. Welcome To Colorful Colorado Sign

Colorado Welcome Sign on route from Kansas City to Denver

Did you really make a road trip to Colorado if you didn’t take a picture in front of the “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” sign? This iconic sign is seen all over the state in the form of t-shirts and magnets in souvenir shops, but you can be authentic by taking a photo with the real deal. The sign can be found right off the highway, just after crossing the state line into Colorado.

Ways & Routes to Travel from Kansas City to Denver

āœ… By Car

There are a few different routes you can take for a Kansas City to Denver road trip. The quickest, easiest, and most direct is by taking I-70 W from KC. This route is basically a straight shot; it does not require you to change highways at any point between the two cities. The driving time for this route is 8.5 hours.

The second option is to drive through Nebraska. For this route, you will drive north from KC to the city of Omaha. Then head west on I-80 through the cities of Lincoln and Kearney until you eventually approach Denver from the north. This is about 11 hours of driving time.

A third option would be to head south from KC to Wichita and Dodge City. This will allow you to stop in the city of Colorado Springs before approaching Denver. Colorado Springs has many of its own attractions that are worth seeing if you have the time. This route is about 12 hours.

āœ… By Plane

If you aren’t feeling up for being in the car for 8.5 hours, you could opt for a flight instead. There are several nonstop flights between these two cities each day. The flight time is around 2 hours. You will also spend time traveling to the airport followed by security and boarding, so the entire process of flying may be more like 6 hours in total.

āœ… By Bus

There is a daily Greyhound bus that will drive from Kansas City to Denver. The ride time for this option is 11 hours and 40 minutes. The bus departs from KC each day at 11:35pm and from Denver each day at 7:15pm.

āœ… By Train

If you’d like to take the EXTRA scenic route, you can take the Amtrak train from Kansas City’s Union Station. However, you need to transfer in Chicago, so the overall travel time is 24 hours and 45 minutes.

Where to Stay Along the Way

šŸ“Bluemont Hotel – Manhattan, KS

Staying in Bluemont Hotel while cruising from Kansas City to Denver

This is where I prefer to stay when I’m in Manhattan for the night. The location is ideal, just across the street from the Aggieville bars and K-State campus.

You don’t even need to leave the property for great food and drink options – the lobby bar and rooftop beer garden serve snacks and signature cocktails. Goolsby’s Bar next door offers a self-pour beer wall and mini bowling.

šŸ“Hilton Garden Inn – Hays, KS
My friend in Hays says this is the best hotel in town (it’s also the top-rated, with 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google). This is the perfect halfway point along the route.

Situated close to attractions such as the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and the Fort Hays State Historic Site, this is an easy place to kill some time while you rest. If you need to load up on snacks for your trip, there’s a Walmart Supercenter directly across the street from the hotel.

šŸ“Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Goodland, KS
After the long, flat drive through the entirety of Kansas, take a snooze in Goodland. The Holiday Inn Express is the highest-rated hotel in town.

This hotel is known for having squeaky clean rooms and very kind staff. This makes sense because everyone I know from Goodland is, well, good. They really live up to the name of the town.  

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Driving Tips

Overall, this is an easy drive. You will spend almost all of your time on I-70 in Kansas and Eastern Colorado. This stretch of interstate is smooth, straight, and flat.

āœ”ļø I-70 is well-maintained with numerous gas stations along the route, so there shouldn’t be issues keeping your vehicle fueled or charged. You can also find 15 rest stops along the highway.

āœ”ļø The biggest city you will encounter between these two destinations is Topeka, Kansas. If you’d like to explore other larger cities on this trip, you can go through Wichita and Colorado Springs by taking the southern route, or Omaha and Lincoln by taking the northern route.

āœ”ļø Certain parts of Kansas are some of the windiest places in the country, so keep your hands on the wheel even when this drive seems simple. The springtime thunderstorms in this area can also be brutal. I’ve had to pull over and wait for the rain to subside on multiple occasions.

FAQ: Driving from Kansas City to Denver

What is halfway between Denver and Kansas City?

The geographical halfway point between Denver and Kansas City is WaKeeney, Kansas. However, if you’d like to stop in a larger town with places to eat and stay, I recommend nearby Hays, Kansas.

How much does it cost to drive from Kansas City to Denver?

The cost to drive from Kansas City to Denver is $73 each way, so $146 round-trip.

Can you take a train from KC to Denver?

Yes, but there is a transfer in Chicago for a total travel time of 24 hours and 45 minutes.

Conclusion: Kansas City to Denver Road Trip

Look, Kansas is my home state, it’s where I grew up. I know better than anyone that it’s very flat and not the most exciting. I hope this article at least helps you find a few pleasant ways to break up this drive. I, for one, have gotten a lot of laughs and enjoyment out of these stops over the years, so who knows. You might just find yourself using words like “underrated” and “interesting” to describe America’s most central land.

For another Denver road trip, check out my Denver to Aspen Drive post!