Getting Around Kansas

Kansas is a large State, stretching 208 miles from north to south and 411 miles east to west, for a total of 82,264 square miles. Much of this area is sparcely populated, especially in the western part of the state. Some public transportation is available (bus, train, airplane), but to see all of Kansas you will need a private vehicle, especially if you are like me and enjoy exploring the out-of-the-way places.

In this photo you can see my white Ford Pick-up, on a lonely dirt track far from any paved road. You may have to enlarge the picture to see it well. I left the truck and hiked to a nearby ridge to take this photo. The day I took this picture was the best day I ever spent in Kansas. I've heard some people complain that there isn't much to see out here on the high plains. Little do they know; I felt I could see forever.

For more information about Kansas Highways click on the official Kansas Department of Transportation website below.

There are many ways of getting around both Wichita and Kansas itself. In Wichita, you can travel by renting a car, taking a Taxi or travel by our City's bus system. If you choose, you could also travel by bike. There are many scenic bike paths around and in downtown.

For travel to other cities in Kansas I would highly recommend renting a car, although if cost is a factor there is always the Greyhound bus system. Just check the schedules of where and when you want to go and purchase the ticket. It's that easy.

Before heading out on my business trip, I had pre-booked a rental car for the weekend from Budget. They quoted me $60 including all taxes with unlimited mileage for two days. It sounded too good to be true, but they were correct - and it was a great car.

It was a pleasure to drive, a good thing since I put 520 miles on it in two days. Gas was running at about US$1.78 per US gallon and I needed to pump in US$28 to fill it up again before dropping it off at Kansas City International Airport after I had completed the Missouri leg of my weekend excursion. The car allowed me to do everything on this page in only one day. Well worth the investment I would say!

It was a real pleasure to drive on the secondary highways in Kansas. Although even the main highways were good, the speed limit keeps you moving along and you have to be on the watch for the traffic at all times.

Once I veered off onto the secondary roads, I could set the cruise control at 50-55 mph (80-90 kph) as per the local speed limits and just enjoy the passing countryside. The roads were in excellent condition, hardly a bump or pot-hole in the entire trip. It was great to be so close to the side of the road too, so you could see unexpected things cropping up and then stopping for a closer look if the fancy struck. Whenever someone came up behind me, I just pulled over somewhere and let them go by so I could concentrate on the scenery.

This section of Highway 7 is just south of Fort Scott, near Crawford State Park, in an area of reclaimed coal strip mines.

The best way to get around is by car. Interstate 70 is the main east-west connection of the state. It leads from the eastern stateline and Kansas City to the western stateline maybe a hundred miles east of Denver, Co.

Drive the state is big and lonely in spots.
Thats what makes it interesting you can see what the pioneers had to put up with when the state was first settled
Take the side roads and visit the small towns,. they are different in each location

In the entire US, there is only one way to travel: by car. Specially in a state like Kansas, where the next town is at least 30miles away.
Kansas was our 10th state when crossing the US. In all 9 previous stats, we have been told that Kansas would be flat and riding would not get any easier. Well, guess not. Kansas is NOT flat at all. There are hill which sometimes tend to be rather steep.

And the there is this westly wind blowing in our face all day long. Only at night, when it is time to sleep, the wind tends to die a bit.