The 7 Best Kansas Road Trips

road trips are a must-do, thanks to the unique scenery in this stunning Midwestern state. The routes are all packed with national parks, forests, ample wildlife and interesting things to do along the way.

There are short trips here that will take you just a couple of hours to complete, as well as road trips that you can plan an entire vacation around. Whichever type of route you choose, you are in for some peaceful and picturesque driving.

The best way to see this state is on four wheels, so grab your fellow passengers and get ready for the road trip of a lifetime!

The Best Kansas Road Trips

1. Kansas Waterfalls Road Trip

Take a self-guided road trip vacation through Kansas, stopping off each day at a new waterfall. Start your journey at Alcove Springs, considered one of the most significant historic sites on the Oregon Trail in Kansas. You’ll drive through cute towns along the way and finish off with some pole fishing at Cedar Creek Falls.

Distance: 631 miles

Route highlights: Alcove Springs, Geary State Lake Waterfall, Cowley Lake Waterfall, Edgerton City Lake Falls, Cedar Creek Falls.

When to do it: April until early June

Photo Cred: IG shelbybhardt

2. Western Vistas Historic Byway

Drivers travelling along the Western Vistas Historic Byway will experience the ”badlands” of Kansas and wide-open scenic views, where limestone formations reach to the sky. Here you can explore Fort Wallace, “the fightin-est Fort in the West,” walk in the footsteps of bison hunter Buffalo Bill Cody and visit Battle Canyon.

Distance: 102 miles

Route highlights: Lake Scott State Park, Monument Rocks, Mt. Sunflower, and Sharon Springs.

When to do it: Year-round

Photo Cred: IG mtoplikar

3. Flint Hills National Scenic Byway

The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway has incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie – one of the last remaining such landscapes left in America! Much of the land along the Byway looks as it did thousands of years ago when the Kaw, Osage and other native tribes lived here.

Distance: 47.2 miles

Route highlights: Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, and Prather Creek Falls

When to do it: March until early September

Photo Cred: IG markfeiden

4. Sunflower Drive

Sunflower Fields in Lindsborg can be found northwest of town on Wheatridge Road and northeast at the I-35 and Highway 4 intersection. Make an afternoon outing in the car enchanting with brilliant yellow – there’s no better place to witness its brilliance than a field of sunflowers in late August through September.

Distance: 5 miles

Route highlights: Lindsborg sunflowers

When to do it: Late August through September.

Photo Cred: IG kansastourism

5. Post Rock Scenic Byway

The Post Rock Scenic Byway winds through fields, pastures and prairie. Oh, and don’t forget to look up! The boundless sky in Post Rock country is a favorite of photographers, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Distance: 18 miles

Route highlights: Wilson Lake and Wildlife Area, The Grassroots Art Center courtyard

When to do it: Year-round

Photo Cred: IG danboochavez71

6. Native Stone Scenic Byway

The Native Stone Scenic Byway highlights both the natural wonder of rock formations and the amazing craftwork of masons who built the small towns and communities with native stone.

Distance: 56 miles

Route highlights: Mission Creek, Mill Creek valleys, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties in the glorious Flint Hills

When to do it: March-August

Photo Cred: IG mnielsen101

7. Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway

The Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway takes visitors through Barton, Stafford, and Reno counties in central Kansas. The Byway offers far more than beautiful wetlands and birds. Along your trek, you’ll see native stone buildings, underground tunnels, metal street art, WPA art and bridges, an operating flour mill, a stretch of the Santa Fe Trail, and more.

Distance: 77 miles

Route highlights: Barton, Stafford, Reno, Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

When to do it: Year-round

Photo Cred: IG micahnaeger

If you are spending time in the state check out The 25 Best Burgers In Kansas State