Cities Near Topeka
Cities near Topeka, Kansas: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Lawrence, Olathe, Manhattan. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Topeka, Kansas is Lawrence, about 24 mi (39 km) away — roughly 47 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | 24 mi / 39 km | 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Olathe | 48 mi / 77 km | 1 hr 25 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Manhattan | 49 mi / 79 km | 1 hr 28 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Shawnee | 51 mi / 83 km | 1 hr 32 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Kansas City | 59 mi / 95 km | 1 hr 46 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Saint Joseph | 67 mi / 107 km | 2 hr | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Independence | 68 mi / 109 km | 2 hr 2 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Lee's Summit | 70 mi / 113 km | 2 hr 6 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Blue Springs | 75 mi / 121 km | 1 hr 45 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Wichita | 130 mi / 209 km | 3 hr 1 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Topeka
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Lawrence, Olathe, Manhattan, Shawnee, Kansas City. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Topeka
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Wichita. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Topeka include Lawrence, Olathe, Manhattan, Shawnee, Kansas City. The closest is Lawrence, about 24 miles (39 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.
More about Topeka
Nearby city travel guides
- → Best time to visit Lawrence
- → Best time to visit Olathe
- → Best time to visit Manhattan
- → Best time to visit Shawnee
- → Best time to visit Kansas City
- → Best time to visit Saint Joseph
- → Best time to visit Independence
- → Best time to visit Lee's Summit
- → Best time to visit Blue Springs
- → Best time to visit Wichita