View source for Kansas Turnpike

{{short description|Highway in Kansas}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Infobox road
|state=KS
|type=KSTP
|map={{maplink-road|from=Kansas Turnpike.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=Kansas Turnpike highlighted in red
|length_mi=236
|length_ref=<ref name="KTA history"/>
|length_round=
|allocation=
*{{jct|state=KS|I|35}} from the [[Oklahoma]] state line to [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]]
*{{jct|state=KS|I|335|nolink1=yes}} from Emporia to [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]]
*{{jct|state=KS|I|470}} in southeastern Topeka
*{{jct|state=KS|I|70}} from Topeka to [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]]
|direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{jct|state=OK|I|35}} at the Oklahoma state line
|junction=
*{{jct|state=KS|I|135|I|235|US|81}} in [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]
*{{jct|state=KS|I|35|US|50}} in Emporia
*{{jct|state=KS|I|470|US|75}} in Topeka
*{{jct|state=KS|I|70|US|40|K|4}} in Topeka
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{jct|state=KS|I|70|US|24|US|40|US|69}} in [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]]
|counties=[[Sumner County, Kansas|Sumner]], [[Sedgwick County, Kansas|Sedgwick]], [[Butler County, Kansas|Butler]], [[Chase County, Kansas|Chase]], [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon]], [[Wabaunsee County, Kansas|Wabaunsee]], [[Osage County, Kansas|Osage]], [[Shawnee County, Kansas|Shawnee]], [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas]], [[Leavenworth County, Kansas|Leavenworth]], [[Wyandotte County, Kansas|Wyandotte]]
|established=October 1956
|browse={{ks browse|previous_type=US|previous_route=283|route=I-335|next_type=US|next_route=383}}
}}

The '''Kansas Turnpike''' is a {{convert|236|mi|km|adj=mid|}} [[controlled-access highway|controlled-access]] [[toll road]] that lies entirely within the US state of [[Kansas]]. It runs in a general southwest–northeast direction from the [[Oklahoma]] border to [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]]. It passes through several major Kansas cities, including [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]], and [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]]. The turnpike is owned and maintained by the [[Kansas Turnpike Authority]] (KTA), which is headquartered in Wichita.

The Kansas Turnpike was built from 1954 to 1956, predating the [[Interstate Highway System]]. While not part of the system's early plans, the turnpike was eventually incorporated into the Interstate System in late 1956 and is designated today as four different Interstate Highway routes: [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|Interstate&nbsp;35]] (I-35), '''Interstate&nbsp;335''' ('''I-335'''), [[Interstate 470 (Kansas)|I-470]], and [[Interstate 70 in Kansas|I-70]]. The turnpike also carries a piece of two [[United States Numbered Highways|U.S. Highways]]: [[U.S. Route 24 in Kansas|U.S. Highway&nbsp;24]] (US-24) and [[U.S. Route 40 in Kansas|US-40]] in Kansas City.

Because it predates the Interstate Highway System, the road is not engineered to current [[Interstate Highway standards]] and notably lacks a regulation-width median. To reduce the risk of head-on collisions, the Kansas Turnpike now has a continuous, permanent [[Jersey barrier]] in the median over its entire length. On opening, there was no fixed speed limit on the highway; drivers were merely asked to keep to a "reasonable and proper" limit, although, shortly afterward, signs were erected in certain stretches indicating a maximum speed of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. From 1970 to 1974 and again since 2011, the turnpike's speed limit has been set at {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}; that limit during the earlier period applied only during daytime hours.

Around 120,000&nbsp;drivers use the turnpike daily. The road features numerous services, including a travel radio station and six service areas. One of these service areas is notable for the presence of a memorial to [[University of Notre Dame]] football coach [[Knute Rockne]], who died near the current highway's route.

Since July 1, 2024, toll collection on the Kansas Turnpike has been all-electronic, with all tolls payable with a K-TAG transponder or via [[license plate recognition]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/cashless-tolling|title=Cashless Tolling|website=www.ksturnpike.com|language=en|access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> The turnpike is self-sustaining; it derives its entire revenue from the tolls collected and requires no additional tax money for maintenance or administration.

==History==

===Early history===
Early federal plans for a nationwide system of interregional highways did not include a route along or near the present turnpike, instead connecting [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] and [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] via southeastern Kansas and [[U.S. Route 69 in Kansas|US-69]].<ref>{{cite map |author = [[Bureau of Public Roads]] |url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interregional_Highway_plan_1939.jpg |title = Proposed Interregional Highway System |year = 1939 |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Bureau of Public Roads |via = [[Wikimedia Commons]] }}</ref> By the mid-1940s, this route had shifted to roughly the present [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|I-35]] alignment, serving [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]. The only major difference from the present route was between Wichita and [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]], where the highway ran north to [[Newton, Kansas|Newton]] before turning northeast along [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|US-50]].<ref>{{cite map |author = Bureau of Public Roads |url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interregional_Highway_plan_ca_1943.jpg |title = Routes of the Recommended Interregional Highway System |year = c. 1943 |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Bureau of Public Roads |via = Wikimedia Commons }}</ref>

In the early 1950s, [[toll road]]s were gaining in popularity as a mechanism for funding new superhighways. This trend started with the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] in 1940, which was mimicked by other toll roads in [[New York (state)|New York]], [[New Jersey]], several [[New England]] states, [[West Virginia]], [[Ohio]], and [[Colorado]]. In October&nbsp;1951, the Highway Council of the [[Kansas Chamber of Commerce]] researched the possibility of integrating the state into a potential cross-country turnpike system. Eastern Kansas was also included in an interstate turnpike system stretching from [[Galveston, Texas]], to [[Saint Louis, Missouri]], via Kansas City, that was proposed by Oklahoma Governor [[Johnston Murray]].<ref name="milestones">{{cite book |last1 = Lamb |first1 = Sherry |first2 = Theodore A. |last2 = Wilson |name-list-style=amp |title = Milestones: A History of the Kansas Highway Commission and the Department of Transportation |location = Topeka |publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] |year = 1986 |pages = 4–19 to 4–26 |oclc = 19126368 }}</ref> Many firms from construction industries, as well as those concerned about the state's economic development, worked to have legislation passed to allow the turnpike to be constructed. Governor [[Ed Arn]] and Gale Moss, the State Highway Director, were two major proponents of the turnpike concept.<ref name="driven-1"/>

The turnpike idea was an attractive one because initial construction was to be financed by the private sector via sales of revenue bonds, allowing state highway funds to be used for other important projects. The new toll road would also reduce traffic, and thus maintenance costs, on existing roads. There was also a concern that if Kansas lagged behind in turnpike construction, it might be bypassed by toll roads in other states, leaving it at an economic disadvantage.<ref name="milestones"/> The toll concept also had the benefit of ultimately putting the financial burden on the drivers who actually used the road, instead of using tax revenue that had been collected from residents statewide.<ref name="driven-1">{{cite book |chapter-url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_3.pdf |chapter = Chapter 1: The Birth of the Pike |title = Driven by Vision: The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |year = 2006 |location = Wichita |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |pages = 4–7 |oclc = 147983227 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053403/http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_3.pdf |archive-date = November 7, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> There was some opposition to the plan from both government officials and citizens due to concerns that the toll revenue might not cover the repayments to investors, bankrupting the turnpike authority and burdening the state government with the remaining debt. There were also worries about the possibility of the turnpike requiring maintenance before the bonds had been repaid. Some critics also felt that the high speeds typical of turnpike driving were unsafe.<ref name="milestones"/> As right-of-way for the project was obtained, the turnpike drew additional opposition from farmers and ranchers, who objected to the turnpike bisecting their property, making it difficult to access disjointed parcels of land.<ref name="driven-1"/>

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce held "turnpike clinics" in several locations across Kansas in 1952, reporting an overwhelmingly positive reception from the public.<ref name="milestones"/> The Kansas Turnpike Act, defining a turnpike from Oklahoma to Kansas City, became effective April&nbsp;7, 1953.<ref name=1955report>{{cite book |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date = February 13, 2011 |title = Third Annual Report |year = 1955 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |page = 8 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mN87AAAAMAAJ&q=%22kansas+turnpike+act%22 }}</ref> It created the KTA, with Gale Moss selected as its first chairman. With a budget of only $25,000 (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|25000|1953}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}), the KTA's first office was a former barbershop in the [[Kansas State Capitol]].<ref name="milestones"/>

Given [[Oklahoma]]'s plans to build a turnpike north from Oklahoma City to the Kansas state line, and taking into account traffic flow maps prepared by the highway department, a preliminary route was chosen connecting the proposed Oklahoma turnpike to Kansas City via Wichita and Topeka. A second route extending from Topeka to [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]] and further west to the Colorado state line (the modern-day I-70 corridor) was also studied. Over 173,000&nbsp;drivers were surveyed to determine how many of them would be willing to use the two proposed routes in order to establish their profitability. While the western Kansas route was determined not to be feasible, the Oklahoma–Kansas City route was projected to generate a total revenue of $9&nbsp;million in 1957 (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|9000000|1957}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}). After considering a number of different alignments, including one bypassing Topeka via the present route of I-35, the state decided on an "airline" route between Wichita and Topeka. From Wichita south, the turnpike was to parallel [[U.S. Route 81 in Kansas|US-81]], continuing into Oklahoma; the [[interchange (road)|interchange]] with [[U.S. Route 166 in Kansas|US-166]] at [[South Haven, Kansas|South Haven]] was included to provide an outlet if Oklahoma lagged in its construction. The turnpike was to parallel [[U.S. Route 40 in Kansas|US-40]] from Topeka to Kansas City. The Kansas City end was set at 18th&nbsp;Street and Muncie Boulevard, which was to be extended and upgraded to a freeway (the Muncie Expressway) to the Intercity Viaduct by the state.<ref name="milestones"/>

After a ruling from the [[Kansas Supreme Court|state supreme court]] that found that the KTA could issue bonds and oversee the construction and administration of the turnpike, the turnpike authority sold $160&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|160000000|1957}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}) in revenue bonds in September&nbsp;1954. KTA bonds were quickly bought by investors, who were attracted by the Kansas Turnpike's low construction costs—only one-third of that of turnpikes in other states—and projections showing that enough tolls would be collected to pay off investors after 19&nbsp;years.<ref name="milestones"/>

[[Groundbreaking|Ground was broken]] on December&nbsp;31, 1954, at the [[Kansas River]] [[Kansas Turnpike Bridges|bridge]] near [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Big Impact Seen for Local Area in Superhighway |newspaper = [[Lawrence Daily Journal-World]] |date = October 24, 1956 |pages = 1–2 }}</ref> Construction of the entire length of the turnpike was scheduled to take place all at once, with the turnpike partitioned into 14&nbsp;parts, and the overall length also divided into 43&nbsp;smaller portions. The KTA sent out letters en masse to the affected landowners, offering a price and referring appeals to the local district court, which typically valued the land at a lesser amount; this methodology was not without criticism.<ref name="driven-2" /> During the construction period, the state highway department suffered a "[[brain drain]]" as many staffers resigned to take up KTA jobs, which paid better salaries (Chairman Moss's KTA salary was three times that of his salary as director of highways) and offered more exciting challenges.<ref name="milestones"/>

In June&nbsp;1956, the [[Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956]] was signed into law, granting funding to the nationwide [[Interstate Highway System]]. Without its Oklahoma link, the Kansas Turnpike was in danger of being bypassed by the Interstate System entirely. However, at the end of 1956, the [[Bureau of Public Roads]] and the state of Kansas agreed to route I-35 along the turnpike south of Emporia and I-70 along the piece east of Topeka. The state insisted on a separate Emporia–Kansas City alignment, and the mileage that would have been used to build I-35 from Wichita to Emporia via Newton was instead used for I-35W (now [[Interstate 135 (Kansas)|I-135]]) from Wichita via Newton to Salina.<ref name=milestones/><!--4-29-->

After almost 22&nbsp;months of construction, the road was opened for a day of free travel on October&nbsp;20, 1956, between 6:00&nbsp;am and 2:00&nbsp;pm.<ref name="LJW-102056">{{cite news |title = KTA Officials Say Traffic Heavy on Pike This Morning |work = Lawrence Daily Journal-World |date = October 20, 1956 }}</ref> An estimated 12,000 to 15,000&nbsp;cars traveled on the turnpike. Many of those motorists traveled [[Memorial Stadium (University of Kansas)|to Lawrence]] for a [[college football|football]] game between the [[Kansas Jayhawks football|University of Kansas]] and [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]].<ref name="LJW-102256">{{cite news |title = Over 12,000 Cars on Turnpike for Special Opening Saturday |work = Lawrence Daily Journal-World |date = October 22, 1956 }}</ref> Official opening ceremonies were held at interchanges in each of the three major cities on October&nbsp;25. The Kansas City celebration included [[Gene Autry]] jumping his horse through a large paper map of the turnpike. [[John Masefield]], the British [[Poet Laureate]], wrote a tribute to commemorate the occasion.<ref name=milestones/><!--4-23 to 4-26--> On the first day after the official opening, 7,197&nbsp;vehicles traveled the turnpike, with 81&nbsp;toll collectors and 50&nbsp;maintenance workers on duty.<ref name="driven-2">{{cite book |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |chapter-url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_4.pdf |chapter = Chapter 2: A Vision Builds |access-date = March 12, 2007 |title = Driven by Vision: The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |year = 2006 |location = Wichita |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |pages = 8–16 |oclc = 147983227 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053345/http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_4.pdf |archive-date = November 7, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The turnpike originally had 14&nbsp;interchanges; by 2012, there were 22.<ref name="KTA FAQ" />

===Southern terminus===
Despite Oklahoma's role in instigating the construction of the Kansas Turnpike, its plans for a connecting turnpike fell through. The [[Oklahoma Turnpike Authority]] (OTA) had not performed a traffic study, as the KTA had, to prove that the proposed Oklahoma turnpike would be profitable. Oklahoma also suffered from a poorer [[credit rating]] than did Kansas. Additionally, by this time, many states' turnpike authorities were competing in the bond markets for investor dollars. All of these issues combined made it difficult for OTA to issue bonds for its toll road. When funding had been obtained, political issues stalled the proposed toll road further.<ref name="milestones"/><!--4-24-->

With no counterpart to the south, the Kansas Turnpike ended at the state line, at an [[at-grade intersection]] with E0010&nbsp;Road.{{#tag:ref|The [[National Bridge Inventory]] lists the bridge at the state line (CO RD&nbsp;3604C) as 1958, which matches the other two bridges in Oklahoma north of [[U.S. Highway 177]] (US-77), while the nearby bridges in Kansas are all from 1956. The bridges at and immediately south of US-177 are from 1959.<ref name="nbi1992" />|name=statelinebridge|group=lower-alpha}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://cjonline.com/photo_pages/012206/35265.shtml |title = Cover photo |magazine = [[Life (magazine)|Life]] |date = June 4, 1956 |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref> Just across the state line was an oat field, into which many inattentive motorists crashed. This abrupt end became nationally famous after Wyoming Governor [[Milward L. Simpson]] and his wife crashed in mid-1957.<!--references a Kansas City Times article from October 10, 1957--> The oat farmer plowed the field to provide a safer landing, and the KTA was persuaded to install a huge wooden barrier at the end of the highway. However, within a day, three more drivers had crashed and destroyed the barrier, so the KTA closed the turnpike south of the South Haven interchange. The KTA provided the state of Oklahoma with financial aid to construct its portion of a temporary road leading to the interchange.<ref name=milestones/><!--4-26--> The lack of continuity in the highway was one of the primary reasons that the road did not generate much revenue in the years following the opening; another reason was a lack of education on the part of motorists as to the concept of a toll road.<ref name="driven-3" />

Although Oklahoma's plans to construct a toll road from the southern end of the Kansas Turnpike at the state line to Oklahoma City did not materialize, <!--the surveyed route was turned over to the Oklahoma Department of Highways (since renamed the [[Oklahoma Department of Transportation]]) to be developed as a free expressway following the passage of the Interstate Highway Act in 1956.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}}--> a year and a half after the opening of the turnpike, a {{convert|5|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} connection to [[US 177 (OK)|US 177]] at [[Braman, Oklahoma|Braman]] was put into service on April&nbsp;22, 1958.<ref name=milestones/><!--4-30-->{{#tag:ref|The 1958 ''Oklahoma State Highway Map'', the first to show the turnpike, shows the freeway ending at US-177.<ref name=OK1958map>{{cite map |author = Oklahoma Department of Highways |year = 1958 |url = http://www.odot.org/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/state-maps/pdfs/1958.pdf |title = Oklahoma State Highway Map |edition = 1958 |format = PDF |location = Oklahoma City |publisher = Oklahoma Department of Highways |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref> The 1959 map is the first to place an [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|I-35]] shield on the road.<ref name="OK1959Map">{{cite map |author = Oklahoma Department of Highways |year = 1959 |url = http://www.odot.org/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/state-maps/pdfs/1959.pdf |title = Oklahoma State Highway Map |edition = 1959 |location = Oklahoma City |publisher = Oklahoma Department of Highways |format = PDF |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref>|name=I-35OK|group=lower-alpha}} Eventually, I-35 was completed south to [[Oklahoma City]].<ref name="driven-3">{{cite book |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |chapter-url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_5.pdf |chapter = Chapter 3: The Early Years, Bumps and All |access-date = March 12, 2007 |title = Driven by Vision: The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |year = 2006 |location = Wichita |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |pages = 17–24 |oclc = 147983227 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053309/http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_5.pdf |archive-date = November 7, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

===Later history===
While the initial turnpike was still being built, the KTA authorized four [[feasibility study|feasibility studies]] in October&nbsp;1954. Three of them—a spur to [[Leavenworth, Kansas|Leavenworth]] and [[Saint Joseph, Missouri]]; a spur from Wichita to [[Hutchinson, Kansas|Hutchinson]], [[Great Bend, Kansas|Great Bend]], and [[Hays, Kansas|Hays]]; and a new Intercity Viaduct to Kansas City, Missouri—did not go anywhere. But the fourth proposal, a [[toll bridge]] on 18th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, was pushed through, and the KTA agreed to build the turnpike in early 1956. The [[18th Street Expressway]], running south from the turnpike's east end over the Kansas River, opened in 1959, improving access to northeast [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County]].<ref name=milestones/><!--4-24--><!--later history needed!-->

As the turnpike did not use any state tax revenue for maintenance, the pavement began to deteriorate rapidly, and crews faced difficulty keeping up with the snow in winter conditions in a winter storm during 1960. In the early 1960s, many senior positions in the KTA were cut, and, thanks to this and other austerity measures, such as targeting maintenance to save costs in the future, the turnpike slowly became profitable.<ref name="driven-3" /> By 1966, it was clear that the turnpike had not been built to the higher [[Interstate Highway standards|standards of the Interstate Highway System]]; the roadway had developed ruts and other issues due to deferred maintenance. To temporarily fix the problem, a layer of asphalt oil and a layer of sand and asphalt was used to fill in the ruts, and graded rock coated with asphalt was used to seal the road. Since the road had been originally constructed at the same time, and not built in segments over a period of time, similar maintenance issues appeared along the whole length of the road at the same time. Bridges and pavement were repaired on a rotating basis, to stagger the cost of needed repairs. The bridge over the Kansas River was widened and replaced after 1973. As economic conditions improved for the Authority, equipment was slowly replaced, and workers were given pay increases, both of which were badly needed.<ref name="driven-4"/>

The East Topeka interchange was completely rebuilt in the late 1990s, with a goal of rerouting I-70 and improving access to the turnpike. The design was completed in 1997, and the project was finished in 2001 at a cost of $98.6&nbsp;million in 1999 (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|98600000|1999}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}).<ref name="driven-5" />

On the evening of April&nbsp;6, 2002, a [[grease fire]] broke out in the [[Hardee's]] restaurant at the Belle Plaine service plaza. Exacerbated by heavy winds, the fire destroyed the building, which also contained a travel information center. Four fire departments responded to the scene. The assistant fire chief and fire chief of the Wellington Fire Department gave conflicting statements on whether the unavailability of the Wellington water tower, which had been emptied while it was being repainted, had hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze. The fire burned for three hours, with hot spots still smoldering the following day. No injuries were reported.<ref name="eagle-blaze-guts">{{cite news |last = Buselt |first = Lori O'Toole |title = Blaze Guts Rest Stop: A Water Shortage Severely Hampers Fire Crews' Efforts to Battle the Fire at the Belle Plaine Service Area |work = [[Wichita Eagle]] |date = April 7, 2002 |page = 1B }}</ref><ref name="eagle-regroup">{{cite news |last = Abejo |first = Jerry |title = Charred Rest Stop Tries to Regroup: Wellington's Fire Chief Says a Water Shortage Had No Effect on the Way the Blaze on the Kansas Turnpike Was Fought |work = Wichita Eagle |date = April 8, 2002 |page = 1B }}</ref> The fire caused $2&nbsp;million (equivalent  to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|2000000|2002}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}) in damages. The service plaza was rebuilt, with a reopening celebration occurring on July&nbsp;24, 2003.<ref name="eagle-rebuilt">{{cite news |last = Strongin |first = Dana |title = Rebuilt Center Greets Visitors: Fifteen Months After a Grease Fire Caused More than $2 Million in Damage, the Belle Plaine Service Area Reopens—New and Improved |date = July 24, 2003 |work = Wichita Eagle |page = 1B }}</ref>

A [[Jacobs Creek Flood|390-year flood event]] took place on the night of August&nbsp;30, 2003, at the Kansas Turnpike's crossing of Jacobs Creek, a tributary of the Cottonwood River {{convert|11|mi|km}} southwest of Emporia (turnpike milepost&nbsp;116). A thunderstorm that evening dropped large amounts of rain in the area, with a gauge at [[Plymouth, Kansas|Plymouth]] reporting {{convert|7.1|in|cm}} of rainfall in a 24-hour period. The culvert carrying Jacobs Creek under the turnpike quickly exceeded its capacity, and water rose onto the turnpike. A pool of water {{convert|4|ft|m|spell=in}} deep formed on the northbound lanes; the concrete median barrier initially prevented most of the water from crossing to the southbound lanes. Seven cars, all headed northbound, stalled in the floodwater. The median barrier then gave way, sweeping the stalled cars across the southbound lanes and down the creek as far as {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} from the highway. Six people died in the flood.<ref name="eagle-flood-kills">{{cite news |last1 = Mann |first1 = Fred |last2 = McMillin |first2 = Molly |title = Turnpike Flood Kills 4 |work = Wichita Eagle |date = September 1, 2003 |page = 1A }}</ref><ref name="eagle-dam-barriers">{{cite news |last = Hays |first = Jean |title = Concrete Barriers Helped Dam I-35 |work = Wichita Eagle |date = September 11, 2003 |page = 1A }}</ref>

Another flooding event, this one a 100-year flood, caused a portion of the Kansas Turnpike to close in 2019. In the early morning hours of May&nbsp;8, rain gauges in [[Rose Hill, Kansas|Rose Hill]] registered over {{convert|10|in|cm}} of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Flash flooding along Slate Creek caused that tributary of the Arkansas River to inundate the turnpike {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} south of the Wellington exit. As a result, just after midnight, the KTA made the decision to close the turnpike between Wellington and the Oklahoma state line. The turnpike reopened on May&nbsp;10. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kake.com/story/40434914/kta-says-all-north-southbound-lanes-are-now-open|title=Kansas Turnpike reopens south of Wellington after flooding|website=www.kake.com|language=en|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Tolls==
The Kansas Turnpike uses all-electronic tolling since July 1, 2024. Cash is no longer accepted. Tolls are instead paid using K-TAG (or compatible transponder) or via [[license plate recognition]], which sends a bill to the vehicle's registered owner. {{As of|2024}}, motorists driving two-axle vehicles (such as cars and motorcycles) pay 4.8¢ per mile driven if using a K-TAG, for a total of $11.36 to drive the entire length of the turnpike from the Oklahoma state line to Kansas City. Motorists using license plate recognition to pay their toll pay double the K-TAG rate, currently 9.6¢ per mile for a two-axle vehicle (or $22.72 for the entire length). Vehicles with more than two axles, such as semi-trucks, pay higher tolls; five-axle vehicles are charged 13.8¢ per mile with K-TAG or 27.6¢ per mile with license plate tolling and nine-axle vehicles pay 33.4¢ per mile with K-TAG or 66.8¢ per mile with license plate tolling.

Flat-rate tolls are collected at 21 [[open road tolling]] gantries located on the turnpike. Each gantry is assigned to a segment of turnpike, usually between two adjacent interchanges. Motorists passing each gantry pay the per-mile fare for the distance of that segment. The total fare for any given trip may be calculated by adding the tolls charged at each gantry along one's route.<ref name="schedule">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/uploads/reports-resources/Toll-Rate-Schedule-42924.pdf |title = Toll Schedule |access-date = July 1, 2024 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority }}</ref><ref name = "cashless">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/cashless-tolling |title=Cashless Tolling |publisher=Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date=July 1, 2024}}</ref>

The Kansas Turnpike is completely self-sustaining and operated on a cash surplus of nearly $600&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|600000000|2017}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}) at end of fiscal year&nbsp;2017.<ref>{{cite book |url = https://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/content-files/2017_Annual_Report.pdf |title = FY17 Annual Report: Building the Foundation |last = Hewitt |first = Steve |year = 2017 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |pages = 8–9 |access-date = June 3, 2018 |archive-date = December 15, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171215062252/https://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/content-files/2017_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> All costs are paid for by the tolls collected; no tax money is used for construction, maintenance, or administration. The KTA estimates that 120,000&nbsp;drivers use the turnpike each day.<ref>''Kansas Turnpike Authority'' (KTA pamphlet).</ref>

===K-TAG===
K-TAG is the [[electronic toll collection]] system operated by the Kansas Turnpike. The system makes use of transponder stickers, which are affixed to the vehicle's windshield. Each account may receive up to two free K-TAG stickers. External bumper mounted transponders are alternatively available for purchase, intended for motorcycles and vehicles with specialty windshields that preclude proper functioning of the sticker tag. Accounts are free to open and require no monthly service fees, but do require a credit card or bank account on file, from which accrued tolls are automatically billed each month. K-TAG was introduced in 1995;<ref>{{cite news |work = Kansas City Business Journal |url = http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2002/02/04/focus2.html |title = Toll Tags Apeed Traffic Through Booths and Maybe Drive-Through Lanes, Too |access-date = March 15, 2008 |first = Susan |last = Franke |date = February 3, 2002 }}</ref> the system was internally designed and is internally run instead of being contracted to another company, saving additional overhead costs.<ref name="driven-5">{{cite book |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |chapter-url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_7.pdf |chapter = Chapter 5: Rolling toward Tomorrow |access-date = March 12, 2007 |title = Driven by Vision: The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |year = 2006 |location = Wichita |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |pages = 33–39 |oclc = 147983227 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053213/http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_7.pdf |archive-date = November 7, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, K-TAG is compatible with [[NationalPass]], used in several other states; [[PikePass]], in neighboring [[Oklahoma]]; ExpressToll, in neighboring [[Colorado]]; and [[TxTag]], [[EZ TAG]], and [[TollTag]] in [[Texas]].<ref name="KTA-interop">{{Cite web |title=Interoperability |url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/interoperability|publisher=Kansas Turnpike Authority |author=Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date=July 7, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/news_and_events?/recentdevelopments.shtml |title = Recent Developments & Turnpike News (September–October 2009) |access-date = September 3, 2009 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first = Mike |last = King |date = March 28, 2014 |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/news_and_events/media_center/blog/comments/simplifying_travel_a_partnership_between_kansas_oklahoma |title = Simplifying Travel: A Partnership between Kansas & Oklahoma |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date = April 7, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140408222205/http://www.ksturnpike.com/news_and_events/media_center/blog/comments/simplifying_travel_a_partnership_between_kansas_oklahoma |archive-date = April 8, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/press-release-files/2017-05-17_iOP_Texas1.pdf|title=K-TAG compatibility expands with Texas|author=Kansas Turnpike Authority|publisher=Kansas Turnpike Authority|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215065336/https://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/press-release-files/2017-05-17_iOP_Texas1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is compatible with the [[SunPass]] system in [[Florida]] {{as of|February 2023|lc=y}},<ref name="Day 2023 w955"/><ref name="kwch 2023 r410">{{cite web | title=K-TAG now accepted on Florida toll roads | website=KWCH | date=February 27, 2023 | url=https://www.kwch.com/2023/02/27/k-tag-now-accepted-florida-toll-roads/ | access-date=July 15, 2023}}</ref> but not currently on roads maintained by the [[Central Florida Expressway Authority]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksturnpike.com/kansas-turnpike-compatible-with-florida|title=Kansas Turnpike compatible with Florida|date=February 27, 2023}}</ref> K-TAG is also compatible with the BestPass and PrePass commercial toll transponders, but it is not compatible with any additional systems, including the [[E-ZPass]] system in the eastern United States.<ref name="Day 2023 w955">{{cite web | last=Day | first=Wil | title=Kansas K-Tag now accepted on Florida toll roads | website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | date=February 27, 2023 | url=https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-news/kansas-k-tag-now-accepted-on-florida-toll-roads/ | access-date=July 15, 2023}}</ref>

===Tolling History===
[[File:Kansas Turnpike ticket.jpg|thumb|A ticket from the Kansas Turnpike, issued at Interchange&nbsp;127]]
Prior to 2024, the turnpike used a [[Ticket system|ticket-based collection system]]. When entering the turnpike, either at one of the termini or at an interchange, a driver was issued a ticket which indicated the toll plaza at which they entered. When leaving the turnpike, this ticket was used to determine the amount of the toll. If a motorist presented a ticket at the same toll plaza it was issued from, the KTA charged a "per-minute" fare if the trip was more than 15&nbsp;minutes. If the ticket was lost, or if the trip took over 18&nbsp;hours to complete, the driver was charged the highest possible toll for that exit.<ref name="KTA FAQ" /><ref>{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/travel_information/self_pay_lanes |title = Self-Pay Lanes |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date = November 19, 2012 }}</ref>

Exit 53A in Wichita, which opened in 2021, was the first cashless interchange on the turnpike system. The turnpike had a toll gantry on the exit ramp in lieu of a traditional toll plaza. Until the remainder of the turnpike went cashless in 2024, this interchange operated as a special cashless interchange within an otherwise cash-based ticketed system. Drivers without a K-TAG were asked to pay their toll online at the standard cash rates. If the toll was not paid after 10 days, a bill was mailed to the vehicle's registered owner at a slightly higher "video rate". If the mailed bill fell delinquent, the highest "violation rate" was charged along with late fees.<ref name="KSN-TV 2021">{{cite web | title=New, cashless exit to westbound Kellogg opens | publisher=KSN-TV | date=January 28, 2021 | url=https://www.ksn.com/news/local/new-cashless-exit-coming-to-wichita-turnpike-exit/ | access-date=November 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Stringer2021>{{cite news |last=Stringer |first=Megan |title=There's No Tollbooth at New Turnpike Exit to Kellogg, but You Still Have to Pay. Here's How |work=Kansas.com |date=February 8, 2021 |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article249021925.html |access-date=2022-11-26}}</ref>

In July 2023, the KTA announced that all existing toll booths would be replaced with cashless tolling gantries by the following year. At these toll gantries, a vehicle without K-TAG would have a picture taken of its license plate, and a bill for the toll would be mailed to its owner.<ref name="KAKE 2023 z358">{{cite web | title=Say goodbye to tollbooths on the Kansas Turnpike next year | website=KAKE | date=July 14, 2023 | url=https://www.kake.com/story/49195685/say-goodbye-to-tollbooths-on-the-kansas-turnpike-next-year | access-date=July 15, 2023}}</ref><ref name="LJWorld.com 2023 k029">{{cite web | title=No more stopping at tollbooths after Kansas Turnpike starts ‘cashless tolling’ for all drivers in 2024 | website=Lawrence Journal-World | date=July 12, 2023 | url=https://www2.ljworld.com/news/public-safety/2023/jul/12/no-more-stopping-at-tollbooths-after-kansas-turnpike-starts-cashless-tolling-for-all-drivers-in-2024/ | access-date=July 15, 2023}}</ref>  In early 2024, the date for the conversion to cashless tolling was officially set to July 1, 2024.<ref name="cashless"/>

==Route description==
[[File:Kansas Turnpike map.svg|thumb|Map of the Kansas Turnpike]]

The Kansas Turnpike is {{convert|236|mi|km}} long.<ref name="KTA history">{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/about/history |title = History of the Kansas Turnpike |access-date = November 19, 2012 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014709/http://ksturnpike.com/history.shtml |archive-date = April 9, 2008 }}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, the Kansas Turnpike has 22&nbsp;[[interchange (road)|interchanges]] and two barrier [[toll plaza]]s.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/> Many of the interchanges are designed as [[trumpet interchange]]s with a connector road to the crossroad, for easy placement of a single toll plaza on the connector.<ref name="gmaps" />

[[Exit number]]s were originally [[sequential]] but are assigned today by mileage from south to east,<ref name="champlin">{{cite map |author1 = Champlin Refining Company |title = Kansas–Nebraska |year = 1973 |author2 = Rand McNally |publisher = Champlin Refining Company }}{{full citation needed|date= April 2015}}</ref> the same numbering system used by the majority of US states for their Interstate Highways as well. After passing the [[Bonner Springs, Kansas|Bonner Springs]] interchange, exit numbers change to match the mileage of [[Interstate 70 in Kansas|I-70]] east from the [[Colorado]] border, which is also used on I-70 west of the turnpike.<ref name="gmaps" /> This results in discontinuous exit numbers on I-70.

===Oklahoma state line to Emporia===
The first {{convert|127|mi|km}} of the highway, between its southern terminus at the [[Oklahoma]] border and [[Emporia, Kansas]], are designated as [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|I-35]]. The Kansas Turnpike is the only tolled section on this Interstate. The turnpike runs due north and south between its southern terminus and Wichita. This stretch of the highway runs parallel to [[U.S. Route 81 in Kansas|US-81]], which lies to the west of the turnpike.<ref name="kdot-2013-map">{{cite map |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |year = 2013 |title = Official State Transportation Map |edition = 2013–14 |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/state-pdf/2013-14Mapside.pdf |format = PDF |location = Topeka |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |access-date = March 27, 2013 }}</ref>

The Kansas Turnpike begins at the Oklahoma state line north of [[Braman, Oklahoma]]. This is also the point at which I-35 crosses from [[Kay County, Oklahoma|Kay County]] to [[Sumner County, Kansas|Sumner County]]. The turnpike proceeds due north from the state line, with no interchanges for its first {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} in Kansas.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/> The southernmost interchange on the turnpike is exit&nbsp;4 ([[South Haven, Kansas|South Haven]]<ref name="1976 South Haven">{{cite map |map-url = http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=809&Y=5127&W=3&qs=%7csouth+haven%7cks%7c |map = 5 km E of South Haven, Kansas, United States |date = July 1, 1976 |title = [[Microsoft Research Maps]] |author = [[United States Geological Survey]] |publisher = Microsoft |type = Topographic map |access-date = March 14, 2007 }}</ref>), which serves [[U.S. Route 166 in Kansas|US-166]]. US-166 heads east to [[Arkansas City, Kansas|Arkansas City]] and west to US-81 at South Haven. This interchange is a four-ramp [[folded diamond]] with ramps in the southeast and northwest quadrants. It has no toll plazas, as it lies south of the southern barrier toll. Northbound traffic must exit at US-166 to avoid paying a toll. Initially, the interchange provided only a southbound exit and northbound entrance,<ref>{{cite map |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/PastPublishedCounty/sumner1968.pdf |format = PDF |year = 1968 |title = General Highway Map: Sumner County, Kansas |location = Topeka |publisher = State Highway Commission of Kansas |author = State Highway Commission of Kansas, Department of Planning and Development |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref> forcing drivers who did not wish to pay a toll to leave I-35 in Oklahoma. By 1976, the other two ramps had been added.<ref name="1976 South Haven"/>

From exit&nbsp;4, the turnpike continues on a due north course, crossing [[Slate Creek (Kansas)|Slate Creek]], before coming to the Southern Terminal barrier toll plaza,<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/> where tickets are issued for all northbound traffic, and fares are collected from southbound traffic. The next interchange north of the toll plaza is exit&nbsp;19 ([[Wellington, Kansas|Wellington]]<ref name="usgs1981">{{cite map |map-url = http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=809&Y=5158&W=3&qs=%7csouth+haven%7cks%7c |map = 6 km E of Wellington, Kansas, United States |date = July 1, 1981 |title = Microsoft Research Maps |publisher = Microsoft |author = United States Geological Survey |type = Topographic map |access-date = March 14, 2007 }}</ref>), serving [[U.S. Route 160 (Kansas)|US-160]], which heads west to Wellington, the county seat of Sumner County, and east to [[Winfield, Kansas|Winfield]], the seat of adjoining [[Cowley County, Kansas|Cowley County]]. It is the first of many trumpet interchanges serving the surface road via a connector road with a toll plaza. When the turnpike first opened, the US-160 interchange was a reverse [[diamond interchange|diamond]] with four loop ramps, so that all traffic using the interchange had to pass under the bridge and thus through the toll plaza.<ref name="usgs1981" /><ref>{{cite map |map-url = http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=11&Z=14&X=1617&Y=10316&W=3&qs=%7csouth+haven%7cks%7c |map = 5 km E of Wellington, Kansas, United States |date = March 20, 1996 |title = Microsoft Research Maps |publisher = Microsoft |author = United States Geological Survey |type = Aerial photograph |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}<!--showing the new configuration and scars from the old ramps--></ref> The new configuration was built {{circa|1988}}.<ref name="NBI Exit 19">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500961383 |datakey = 231330 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref>

The freeway takes a brief jog to the northeast before crossing over a [[Burlington Northern Santa Fe]] rail line southeast of [[Riverdale, Kansas|Riverdale]]. In the [[median (road)|median]] at mile&nbsp;26 is the [[Belle Plaine, Kansas|Belle Plaine]] Service Area.<ref name="KTA services">{{cite web |author= Kansas Turnpike Authority |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/services.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070811064142/http://www.ksturnpike.com/services.html |archive-date = August 11, 2007 |title = KTA Services |access-date = March 13, 2007 }}</ref> North of the service plaza, the highway bridges the [[Ninnescah River]] and then [[K-55 (Kansas highway)|K-55]]/East 90th Avenue North. No interchange is present to allow turnpike travelers to connect to the K-55.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/>

The turnpike's next interchange is exit&nbsp;33 ([[Mulvane, Kansas|Mulvane]]<ref name="KDOT interchanges">{{cite web |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/InterchangeSK.asp |title = KDOT Interchange Sketches |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |access-date = March 14, 2007 }}</ref>), which connects to [[K-53 (Kansas highway)|K-53]]/East 119th Street South via a trumpet ramp, just east of the west end of K-53 at US-81. The interchange was built {{circa|1985}}.<ref name="NBI Exit 33">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500961343 |datakey = 231326 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref> It was reconstructed in 2011 to serve the [[Kansas Star Casino]] with [[roundabouts]] on each side of the flyover. The east roundabout directs traffic to K-53. The west roundabout directs traffic to the casino. There is now a toll booth on the casino side of the intersection as well as the one on the entrance to K-53.<ref>{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/travel_information/mulvane_interchange#1 |title = Exit 33 Mulvane Interchange |access-date = September 16, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004164023/http://www.ksturnpike.com/travel_information/mulvane_interchange#1 |archive-date = October 4, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> This interchange straddles the Sumner–[[Sedgwick County, Kansas|Sedgwick]] county line.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/>

[[File:Kta 042 2011.jpg|thumb|Northbound at exit&nbsp;42 where I-135 begins while the turnpike turns more northeast]]
In southern Sedgwick County, the Kansas Turnpike enters the [[Wichita, Kansas metropolitan area|Wichita metropolitan area]]. Exit&nbsp;39 ([[Haysville, Kansas|Haysville]]<ref name="KDOT interchanges"/>) serves two of Wichita's southern suburbs. This exit is a diamond interchange with a connector road (South Mead Drive) to East 71st Street South, which runs west to [[U.S. Route 81 (Kansas)|US-81]] and Haysville and east to [[Derby, Kansas|Derby]]. It was built {{circa|1989}}.<ref name="NBI Exit 39">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500874323 |datakey = 231279 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref> Now in [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]] proper, the highway reaches exit&nbsp;42 (South Wichita<ref>{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=810&Y=5203&W=3&qs=%7cwichita%7cks%7c--> | title= Derby, KS |date= July 1, 1982 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24,000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map |isbn= 978-0-607-00659-9 <!--|access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>), which is the south end of [[Interstate 135 (Kansas)|I-135]]. I-135 heads north through Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, toward [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]]; US-81 joins at the first interchange and [[Interstate 235 (Kansas)|I-235]] begins at the second. The interchange is a simple trumpet with I-135, and opened in 1956 with the turnpike, but the connector ended at 47th&nbsp;Street (now US-81) until {{circa|1961}}.<ref name="nbi1992" /><ref name="NBI Exit 42">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999913500872333 |datakey = 236569 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref>

After passing exit&nbsp;42, the turnpike curves away from US-81, turning northeast toward El Dorado and Emporia.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/> It crosses the [[Arkansas River]] between exits&nbsp;42 and 45. Exit&nbsp;45 (Wichita<ref>{{cite map |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/PastPublishedCounty/sedgwick1960.pdf |format = PDF |year = 1960 |title = General Highway Map: Sedgwick County, Kansas |location = Topeka |publisher = State Highway Commission of Kansas |author = State Highway Commission of Kansas, Highway Planning Department |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref>) is a trumpet connection to [[K-15 (Kansas highway)|K-15]]/Southeast Boulevard and Turnpike Drive in southern Wichita. It opened in 1956 as one of the original interchanges.<ref name="NBI Exit 45">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500872433 |datakey = 235791 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref> As the highway continues northeast through Wichita, it comes to exit&nbsp;50 (East Wichita<ref name="KDOT interchanges"/>), a double-trumpet connection to the parallel Kellogg Avenue, which carries [[U.S. Route 54 in Kansas|US-54]] and [[U.S. Route 400 in Kansas|US-400]]. It is one of the original 1956 interchanges.<ref name="NBI Exit 50">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500872563 |datakey = 231268 |access-date = August 14, 2013}}</ref> Exit&nbsp;53, the final Wichita exit, is a trumpet connection to the [[K-96 (Kansas highway)|K-96]] freeway. The connector road junctions K-96 at a four-ramp [[partial cloverleaf]] interchange and ends at North 127th Street East. The interchange opened {{circa|1994}} along with the nearby piece of K-96.<ref name="NBI Exit 53">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500873573 |datakey = 231273 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref>

East of exit&nbsp;53, the turnpike passes into [[Butler County, Kansas|Butler County]]. Exit&nbsp;57 ([[Andover, Kansas|Andover]]<ref name="KDOT interchanges"/>) connects to East 21st Street northeast of downtown Andover, an eastern suburb of Wichita. The turnpike uses a diamond interchange with the connector road (Southwest Cross Road) to East 21st Street. This interchange opened {{circa|1985}}.<ref name="NBI Exit 57">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500081523 |datakey = 231040 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref> The turnpike then crosses the [[Whitewater River (Kansas)|Whitewater River]] southwest of the [[Towanda, Kansas|Towanda]] Service Area in the median at mile&nbsp;65.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/><ref name="KTA services"/> From the service area, the highway proceeds northeast to exit&nbsp;71 ([[El Dorado, Kansas|El Dorado]]<ref name="1979 El Dorado">{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=855&Y=5234&W=3&qs=%7ctowanda%7cks%7c--> |title= El Dorado SW, KS |date= July 1, 1979 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24,000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map |isbn= 978-0-607-20603-6 <!--| access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>), a trumpet connection to [[K-254 (Kansas highway)|K-254]] just east of its junction with [[K-196 (Kansas highway)|K-196]]. The connector originally directly intersected K-254,<ref name="1979 El Dorado"/> but it now ends between K-254/West Central Avenue and West 6th Avenue at Boyer Road just north of K-254. Exit&nbsp;71 opened with the original turnpike in 1956.<ref name="NBI Exit 71">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500080913 |datakey = 231014 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref> North of El Dorado, exit&nbsp;76 (El Dorado) connects the Kansas Turnpike to [[U.S. Route 77 (Kansas)|US-77]]/North Main Street via a trumpet ramp. It opened {{circa|1986}}.<ref name="NBI Exit 76">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500081543 |datakey = 235670 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Kta 127 2013.jpg|left|thumb|Exit&nbsp;127, the Emporia interchange, marking the beginning of the I-335 designation and the departure of I-35 from the Turnpike]]

After passing through El Dorado, the Kansas Turnpike crosses the northernmost arms of [[El Dorado Lake]]. This marks the turnpike's entry into the [[Flint Hills]], a band of hills in eastern Kansas. The turnpike does not leave this region completely until it reaches Topeka.<ref name="gmaps">{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/?ll=38.048091,-95.960083&spn=2.18882,4.938354&t=m&z=8 |title = Kansas Turnpike |access-date = November 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="kdot-2013-map-phys">{{cite map |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |year = 2013 |title = Official State Transportation Map |edition = 2013–14 |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/state-pdf/2013-14Mapside.pdf |inset = Physiographic Provinces |location = Topeka |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |access-date = March 27, 2013 }}</ref> As the highway continues northeast past El Dorado Lake, it runs roughly parallel to the [[Walnut River (Kansas)|Walnut River]] to the west, which feeds the reservoir, and [[K-177 (Kansas highway)|K-177]] to the east.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/> Northwest of the town of [[Cassoday, Kansas|Cassoday]], K-177 finally crosses the turnpike, with exit&nbsp;92 (Cassoday<ref name="1967 Cassoday">{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=883&Y=5266&W=3&qs=%7ccassoday%7cks%7c--> | title= Cassoday, KS |date= July 1, 1967 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24,000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map <!--| access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>), a diamond interchange, providing a connector to the state highway. The interchange was not present when the turnpike opened in 1956 but was built soon after as an east-facing folded diamond with two separate toll plazas.<ref name="butler">{{cite map |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/PastPublishedCounty/butler1964.PDF |format = PDF |title = General Highway Map: Butler County |year = 1964 |location = Topeka |publisher = State Highway Commission of Kansas |author = State Highway Commission of Kansas, Highway Planning Department |access-date = June 30, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="1967 Cassoday"/> The present configuration was built c.&nbsp;1995.<ref name="NBI Exit 92">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999903500081623 |datakey = 235671 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref> Near this interchange, the turnpike crosses the Walnut River.<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/>

Northeast of the Cassoday interchange, the Kansas Turnpike enters [[Chase County, Kansas|Chase County]]. In the median at mile&nbsp;97, just north of the county line, is the [[Matfield Green, Kansas|Matfield Green]] Service Area.<ref name="KTA services"/> Approximately {{convert|13.7|mi|km}} northeast of the service area, an interchange provides access to a set of [[cattle pen]]s southeast of [[Bazaar, Kansas|Bazaar]].<ref name="ggm-cattle-pen-dist">{{google maps |title= Kansas Turnpike: Distance from Matfield Green Services to Cattle Pens |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=I-35+N&hl=en&ll=38.162906,-96.47438&spn=0.220271,0.425377&sll=38.094528,-96.576304&sspn=0.00689,0.013293&geocode=FbpIRQIdgFE--g%3BFfNTRwIdW-JA-g&t=m&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=17&z=12 |access-date = June 16, 2013 |link = no}}</ref> Other than these two service exits, there are no interchanges within Chase County; upon leaving it, the turnpike passes into [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon County]].<ref name="kdot-2013-map"/>

The next interchange along the turnpike is exit&nbsp;127 (Emporia<ref name="1979 Emporia">{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=14&X=926&Y=5318&W=3&qs=%7cemporia%7cks%7c--> | title= Emporia, KS |date= July 1, 1979 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24:000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map <!--| access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>). At this trumpet interchange, [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|I-35]] leaves the turnpike to head east through Emporia, the [[county seat]] of Lyon County, on its way northeast to [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] via [[Ottawa, Kansas|Ottawa]]. The interchange, as opened in 1956 with the original turnpike, connected directly to [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|US-50]] at Overlander Street;<ref name="1979 Emporia"/> a different configuration opened {{circa|1966}} along with the connecting piece of I-35.<ref name="nbi1992">{{cite web |author = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |year = 1992 |title = Kansas |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi/1992/KS92.txt |work = [[National Bridge Inventory]] |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = August 22, 2013 }}</ref> In 2005, the KTA approved reconstruction of the Emporia interchange to improve connections to US-50, I-35, and the city of Emporia, resulting in the present configuration. This project, funded by the KTA, the [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] (KDOT), and the city of Emporia, was completed in 2008.<ref name="Emporia Interchange">{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/ConstUpdates.shtml |title = Construction Updates |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |access-date = March 15, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511203745/http://ksturnpike.com/ConstUpdates.shtml |archive-date = May 11, 2008 }}</ref>

===Emporia to Topeka===
{{other uses|Interstate 335 (disambiguation)}}
{{infobox road small
|state=KS
|type=I
|route=335
|location=[[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]]–[[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]]
|length_mi=50.13
|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa">{{cite web |first = Kevin |last = Adderly |date = January 27, 2016 |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table02.cfm |title = Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2015 |work = Route Log and Finder List |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = September 24, 2016 }}</ref>
|length_round=2
|formed=1987
}}

After the split with I-35, the Kansas Turnpike continues northeast as I-335. However, its exits are numbered as if I-35 had continued along it. This highway exists entirely as a part of the Kansas Turnpike.<ref name="gmaps" /> In fact, until 1987, this stretch of the turnpike was designated solely as the Kansas Turnpike without an Interstate number. It was only after a change in the [[National Maximum Speed Law]], when state legislators were given the authority to raise the speed limits on rural Interstate Highways to {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, that this segment of the Kansas Turnpike was given the I-335 designation so that it could fall under the new law.<ref name="J-W1">{{cite news |title = Kansans Can Drive at 65 on 680&nbsp;Miles |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aEQyAAAAIBAJ&pg=2226,3184796&dq=kansans+can+drive+at+65+on+680+miles&hl=en |work = [[Lawrence Journal-World]] |agency = [[Associated Press]] |date = May 14, 1987 |page = 1A |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref>

Northeast of Emporia, the Emporia Service Area is in the median at mile&nbsp;132.<ref name="KTA services"/> The turnpike continues northeast through the northern reaches of the Flint Hills, coming to an interchange with [[U.S. Route 56 in Kansas|US 56]] near [[Admire, Kansas|Admire]]. This interchange, exit&nbsp;147, is the only interchange along the I-335 section of the turnpike other than the two end junctions.<ref name="gmaps" /> It is a trumpet connection to US 56, which heads west to [[Council Grove, Kansas|Council Grove]] and east to [[Osage City, Kansas|Osage City]], and was one of the original 1956&nbsp;interchanges.<ref name="NBI Exit 147">{{NBI |structurenumber = 999933500561053 |datakey = 234969 |access-date = August 12, 2013}}</ref>

From the Admire exit, the Kansas Turnpike continues northeast, passing through the southeast corner of [[Wabaunsee County, Kansas|Wabaunsee County]] and the northwestern part of [[Osage County, Kansas|Osage County]]. The turnpike enters [[Shawnee County, Kansas|Shawnee County]] and continues through rural land before it heads into the [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]] area. Here, the roadway has an interchange that serves [[Interstate 470 (Kansas)|I-470]] and [[U.S. Route 75 in Kansas|US 75]] at exit&nbsp;177. At this point, I-335 ends and I-470 joins the turnpike as it passes through suburban development in the southeastern part of Topeka. In the eastern portion of the city, the highway reaches an interchange with [[Interstate 70 in Kansas|I-70]], [[U.S. Route 40 in Kansas|US 40]], and [[K-4 (Kansas highway)|K-4]] at exits&nbsp;182 and 183.<ref name=gm>{{google maps |url = https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-35+N&daddr=I-70+E&hl=en&sll=39.088802,-94.654598&sspn=0.026148,0.066047&geocode=FXCPNAIdl6sy-g%3BFSmPVAIdsMJb-g&t=h&mra=ls&z=8 |title = Overview of Kansas Turnpike |access-date = March 25, 2013 |link = no}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |year = 2013 |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2013-14Mapside.pdf |title = Kansas Official State Transportation Map |location = Topeka |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |edition = 2013–14 |access-date = February 7, 2013 }}</ref>

===Topeka to Kansas City===
The remainder of the turnpike runs on I-70 from Topeka to the turnpike's eastern terminus in Kansas City. This is one of only two tolled sections of I-70.{{efn|The other is on the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]], where I-70 is concurrent with [[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|I-76]].}} The turnpike continues east along I-70 and crosses Tecumseh Creek. The Topeka Service Area is located on the north side of the road east of here at mile&nbsp;188.<ref name="KTA services"/> It is accessed by ramps on the right side of the highway in both directions. Just east of the service area, the turnpike enters [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]] while passing over US 40 without an interchange. The route then curves to the southeast and runs roughly parallel to US 40. A series of curves takes the turnpike farther east as it reaches exit&nbsp;197 ([[Lecompton, Kansas|Lecompton]]<ref>{{cite press release |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/press_releases/press_releases2.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070810201137/http://www.ksturnpike.com/press_releases/press_releases2.html |archive-date = August 10, 2007 |title = K-10 Closed Friday, May 12 Due to Cycling Race |access-date = March 26, 2007 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority }}</ref>), a [[folded diamond]] interchange with the western terminus of [[K-10 (Kansas highway)|K-10]]. After this, the highway continues farther east and enters the city of [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]], where it shares a diamond interchange with McDonald Drive at exit&nbsp;202 (West Lawrence<ref>{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=380&Y=5395&W=3&qs=%7clawrence%7cks%7c--> |title= Lawrence West, KS |date= July 1, 1991 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24,000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map |isbn= 978-0-607-20953-2 <!--| access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>). McDonald Drive leads to [[U.S. Route 59 in Kansas|US 59]] south of the turnpike. East of here, the highway bends east-northeasterly, crosses the Kansas River, and then intersects US 40 and US 59, which [[concurrency (road)|run concurrently]], at exit&nbsp;204 (East Lawrence<ref>{{cite map <!--|url= http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=383&Y=5397&W=3&qs=%7clawrence%7cks%7c--> |title= Lawrence East, KS |date= July 1, 1978 |author= United States Geological Survey |location= Reston, VA |publisher= United States Geological Survey |scale= 1:24,000 |series= 7.5 Minute |type= Topographic map |isbn= 978-0-607-20952-5 <!--|access-date=March 14, 2007-->}}</ref>).<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d100113!2d-95.3810175!3d39.0089596!4m22!3m21!1m5!3m2!3d39.0305009!4d-95.5794276!4sKansas+Turnpike%2C+Tecumseh%2C+KS+66542!6e2!1m4!3m2!3d38.9937211!4d-95.2262874!6e2!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d50049!2d-95.4899384!3d39.0196566!3m2!1i1600!2i775!4f13.1&fid=0 |access-date = June 13, 2013 |link = no }}</ref>

The Kansas Turnpike then leaves Lawrence and bends to the northeast before leaving Douglas County and entering [[Leavenworth County, Kansas|Leavenworth]]. It overpasses Mud Creek before passing under [[K-32 (Kansas highway)|K-32]]. Northeast of here at mile&nbsp;209, the Lawrence Service Area is in the median.<ref name="KTA services"/> Afterward, the turnpike has a diamond interchange with 222nd&nbsp;Street, which is signed as Leavenworth County Road&nbsp;1, at exit&nbsp;212 ([[Tonganoxie, Kansas|Tonganoxie]]/[[Eudora, Kansas|Eudora]]).<ref>{{cite press release |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/press_releases/press_releases2.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070810201137/http://www.ksturnpike.com/press_releases/press_releases2.html |archive-date = August 10, 2007 |title = KTA to Build New Interchange near Tonganoxie |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |date = February 24, 2006 |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref> The highway then travels northeast and passes through it eastern terminal toll booth. This is the final toll booth on the route traveling east, and all vehicles must pay their final toll before continuing. The turnpike then enters Bonner Springs. It crosses Wolf Creek before leaving Leavenworth County and entering [[Wyandotte County, Kansas|Wyandotte County]]. In Bonner Springs, the turnpike intersects [[K-7 (Kansas highway)|K-7]], westbound [[U.S. Route 24 in Kansas|US 24]], westbound US 40, and the southern terminus of [[U.S. Route 73 in Kansas|US 73]] at exit&nbsp;224 (Bonner Springs,<ref name="Bonner Springs 1988">{{cite map |map-url = http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=421&Y=5411&W=3&qs=%7clawrence%7cks%7c |map = Kansas City, Missouri, United States |date = July 1, 1988 |title = Microsoft Research Maps |author = United States Geological Survey |publisher = Microsoft |type = Topographic map |access-date = March 14, 2007 }}</ref> formerly exit&nbsp;223) with a trumpet interchange. This is the first free exit eastbound. The mileposts on the route switch to match those of I-70 after this interchange.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d100041!2d-95.0381957!3d39.0600329!4m22!3m21!1m5!3m2!3d38.9937368!4d-95.2255233!4sKansas+Turnpike%2C+Lawrence%2C+KS+66044!6e2!1m4!3m2!3d39.0974175!4d-94.8775061!6e2!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d99962!2d-94.9350412!3d39.1155903!3m2!1i1600!2i775!4f13.1&fid=0 |access-date = June 13, 2013 |link = no}}</ref>

US 24 and US 40 run concurrently with I-70 and the Kansas Turnpike as it heads east toward Kansas City. Exit&nbsp;410 on the turnpike is a diamond interchange with North 110th Street. This interchange is located just south of the [[Kansas Speedway]]. Just east of here, the route intersects [[Interstate 435|I-435]] at exit&nbsp;411. This exit uses a cloverleaf interchange with one directional ramp and [[collector–distributor roads]] to avoid issues with traffic exiting immediately north of the turnpike. After this interchange, the highway enters Kansas City.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d49986!2d-94.7870551!3d39.1082017!4m22!3m21!1m5!3m2!3d39.0975656!4d-94.8766607!4sKansas+Turnpike%2C+Bonner+Springs%2C+KS+66012!6e2!1m4!3m2!3d39.1058818!4d-94.8020717!6e2!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d99962!2d-94.9350412!3d39.1155903!3m2!1i1600!2i775!4f13.1&fid=0 |access-date = June 13, 2013 |link = no}}</ref>

The turnpike's first exit in the city is exit&nbsp;414, a diamond interchange with North 78th Street. Next, the highway curves slightly to the northeast and intersects the [[Turner Diagonal]] at exit&nbsp;415, an interchange consisting of a half-cloverleaf interchange for the western ramps and a Y-interchange for the eastern ramps that intersects the Turner Diagonal at a trumpet interchange north of the turnpike. East of here, the route has a diamond interchange with North 57th Street at exit&nbsp;417. Directly east of North 57th Street, the turnpike crosses Brenner Heights Creek. After this, the turnpike continues due east to a fully directional interchange with [[Interstate 635 (Kansas–Missouri)|I-635]] at exit&nbsp;418.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d49981!2d-94.7309218!3d39.1163266!4m22!3m21!1m4!3m2!3d39.1058777!4d-94.8020124!6e2!1m5!3m2!3d39.0990488!4d-94.6671552!4sKansas+Turnpike%2C+Kansas+City%2C+KS+66102!6e2!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d99962!2d-94.9350412!3d39.1155903!3m2!1i1600!2i775!4f13.1&fid=0 |access-date = June 13, 2013 |link = no}}</ref>

After this interchange, the freeway bends in a southeastern direction and reaches its final exit, exit&nbsp;420. This exit is a cloverleaf interchange with [[U.S. Route 69 in Kansas|US 69]], which is also known as the [[18th Street Expressway]]. At this interchange, US 69 turns east to overlap I-70, US 40, and US 24, and the highways continue east of exit&nbsp;420 toward Kansas City, Missouri.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d24997!2d-94.6580945!3d39.0959628!4m22!3m21!1m4!3m2!3d39.0986008!4d-94.6657144!6e2!1m5!3m2!3d39.0926235!4d-94.640534!4sInterstate+70%2C+Kansas+City%2C+KS+66102!6e2!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d99962!2d-94.9350412!3d39.1155903!3m2!1i1600!2i775!4f13.1&fid=0 |access-date = June 13, 2013 |link = no}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Kta view.jpg|thumb|A view from the I-35 portion of the turnpike, between mileposts&nbsp;29 and 30]]
Because the Kansas Turnpike was built before the Interstate Highway System, it is not engineered to current [[Interstate Highway standards]]; however, as with all other toll roads that predated the Interstate Highway System, the highway was [[grandfather clause|grandfathered]] to Interstate standards. The turnpike was originally constructed with lanes only {{convert|12|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="milestones"/> Notably, the turnpike was built without a {{convert|36|ft|m|adj=on}} [[median (highway)|median]]. When it opened, the central reservation was a {{convert|20|ft|m|adj=on}} depressed median.<ref name="driven-2"/> Starting in 1985,<ref name="driven-4">{{cite book |chapter-url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_6.pdf |chapter = Chapter 4: The Road Grows Smoother |title = Driven by Vision: The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |year = 2006 |location = Wichita |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |oclc = 147983227 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053238/http://www.ksturnpike.com/assets/uploads/driven_by_vision_6.pdf |archive-date = November 7, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> [[Jersey barrier]]s were installed along its entire length.<ref name="kta-flash">{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/about/history |title = The Story of the Kansas Turnpike |format = SWF |access-date = March 11, 2007 }}</ref>

Kansas Turnpike [[milepost]]s are continuous along the entire length of the turnpike. Originally, milepost numbering began with 0 at the junction of the 18th&nbsp;Street Expressway and counted up as one traveled west then south, with milepost&nbsp;236 appearing at the southern terminus. Then, in 1973, the KTA completely reversed the numbering, and now milemarkers begin at the point where I-35 enters Kansas at the southern border. These numbers are continued along the other three Interstates that make up the turnpike, rather than numbering each Interstate individually, leading to discontinuous numbering on I-70—the exit numbers on tolled I-70 are much lower than those on free I-70.<ref name="rm">{{cite map |author = [[Rand McNally]] |title = United States–Canada–Mexico Road Atlas |year = 2010 |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally }}{{full citation needed|date=April 2015}}</ref>

The majority of the Kansas Turnpike, from the Oklahoma state line to Topeka, was constructed with {{convert|4|in|cm|adj=mid|-thick|spell=in}} [[asphalt concrete|asphalt]]. The {{convert|55|mi|km}} from Topeka to Kansas City was built with [[Portland cement]] concrete.<ref name="kta-flash"/> Curves along the turnpike are limited to 3° and grades limited to 3%.<ref name="kta-flash"/> Early reports said that curves were designed to accommodate speeds of {{convert|70|to|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="milestones"/> When built, the turnpike was designed to allow {{convert|18000|lb|kg|adj=on}} axle loads.<ref name="kta-flash"/> Minimum sight distances were kept at {{convert|725|ft|m}}.<ref name="kta-flash"/> The {{convert|300|ft|m|adj=on}} right-of-way featured fenced edges to prevent cattle from entering the roadway and to discourage toll evasion.<ref name="milestones"/>

===Speed limits===
When the turnpike was originally opened, it had no posted speed limit. However, "drivers [would] be 'hailed down' if they exceed[ed] {{convert|80|mph|km/h|disp=sqbr}}".<ref name="MJ56">{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ox8aAAAAIBAJ&pg=7430,4495274&dq=speed+limit+kansas+turnpike&hl=en |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130124170137/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ox8aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7430,4495274&dq=speed+limit+kansas+turnpike&hl=en |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 24, 2013 |title = New Kansas Turnpike Has No Speed Limit |work = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Journal]] |agency = Associated Press |date = October 8, 1956 |page = 4 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref> In 1970, the speed limit was reduced to {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} during the day and {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at night; authorities cited accidents caused by excess speed.<ref name="tribune70">{{cite news |url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612065072.html?dids=612065072:612065072&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+31%2C+1970&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=WHEN+SPEED+LIMITS+ARE+UNSAFE&pqatl=google |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120113063954/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612065072.html?dids=612065072:612065072&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+31%2C+1970&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=WHEN+SPEED+LIMITS+ARE+UNSAFE&pqatl=google |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 13, 2012 |title = When Speed Limits Are Unsafe |work = [[Chicago Tribune]] |date = August 31, 1970 |page = 16 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }} {{subscription required}}</ref> Nationwide, the speed limit was reduced to {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on January&nbsp;2, 1974; Kansas delayed implementing the reduction until the deadline on March&nbsp;2, 1974.<ref name=lmt74>{{cite news |last = Cook |first = Louise |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pZdfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5305,853180&dq=speed+limit+kansas&hl=en |title = 55-Mile Per Hour Speed Limit Takes Effect |work = [[Lewiston Morning Journal]] |date = March 4, 1974 |agency = Associated Press |page = 7 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref>

When Congress allowed states to increase their speed limits to {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, Kansas increased the speed limit on most of the turnpike; the Emporia–Topeka segment did not have an Interstate designation to allow for an increase there. Other sections through urban areas remained at the lower limits as well.<ref name=jcdu1987-04-21>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=id1EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3419,1005461&dq=speed+limit+kansas+turnpike&hl=en |title = Some Turnpike Speed Limits to Rise |work = [[The Daily Union]] |location = Junction City, KS |agency = Associated Press |date = April 12, 1987 |page = 35 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref> [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] requested an Interstate designation for the Emporia–Topeka segment of the turnpike by May&nbsp;1987,<ref name= ljw87>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cUQyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6989,5698118&dq=speed+limit+kansas+turnpike&hl=en |title = State Works on Turnpike Speed Limit |work = Lawrence Journal-World |agency = Associated Press |date = May 26, 1987 |page = 9A |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref> which they received on October&nbsp;23, 1987, when that section was given the I-335 designation to allow for a {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on|adj=on}} speed limit.<ref name=jcdu1987-10-25>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kr1EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1168,2164473&dq=kansas+turnpike&hl=en |title = Speed Limit Is Increased to 65 on Turnpike from Topeka to Emporia |work = The Daily Union |location = Junction City, KS |agency = Associated Press |date = October 25, 1987 |page = 8 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref> Later, in November&nbsp;1995, Congress repealed the [[National Maximum Speed Limit]]; Kansas initially left its limits alone after the repeal.<ref name=jcdu95>{{cite news |last = Truell |first = Matt |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3cVEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2214,4461501&dq=kansas+turnpike+speed+limit&hl=en |title = Governor Delays Speed Limit Increase on State Highways |work = The Daily Union |location = Junction City, KS |agency = Associated Press |date = December 1, 1995 |page = 1 |access-date = April 25, 2011 }}</ref> Legislation that raised the speed limits to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} took effect on March&nbsp;22, 1996.<ref name=kcs96>{{cite news |last = Peterson |first = John |url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF42E4D6E8B7FC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title = Graves Signs Bill Raising Speed Limits |work = [[Kansas City Star]] |date = March 6, 1996 |page = C1 |access-date = April 25, 2011 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

On July&nbsp;1, 2011, the speed limit on most of the Kansas Turnpike was raised once again to {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} as part of a set of speed limit increases affecting several rural Interstates and U.S. Highways throughout Kansas.<ref name="kdot-75mph">{{cite press release |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |title = Kansas Routes Designated for 75 mph Speed Limit |url = http://www.ksdot.org/PDF_Files/Kansas-routes-designated-for-75-mph-speed-limit.pdf |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |date = June 21, 2011 |access-date = September 17, 2012 }}</ref> The minimum speed is {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |author = Kansas Highway Patrol |publisher = Kansas Highway Patrol |url = http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/faqs/violations.html#speed |title = Facts & FAQs: Traffic Violations |access-date = March 30, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070516051813/http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/faqs/violations.html#speed |archive-date = May 16, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

==Services==
[[File:Kta towanda.jpg|thumb|The Towanda Service Area]]
[[File:Knuterocknememorial.jpg|thumb|[[Knute Rockne]] memorial at Matfield Green rest stop (2009)]]
The KTA provides a number of services to help motorists and provide incentives for using the turnpike. KTA broadcasts a travel radio station at 1610&nbsp;AM from [[Wellington, Kansas|Wellington]], Wichita, [[El Dorado, Kansas|El Dorado]], [[Cassoday, Kansas|Cassoday]], [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]], [[Admire, Kansas|Admire]], [[Topeka, Kansas|East Topeka]], and [[Lawrence, Kansas|West Lawrence]]. Law enforcement is provided by a separate Turnpike Division of the [[Kansas Highway Patrol]]. Motorists needing assistance can use a roadside assistance hotline by dialing <code>*KTA</code> (<code>*582</code>) on a [[mobile phone]]. Statewide weather and traffic conditions can be accessed by dialing <code>511</code>. The KTA also provides weather and traffic information on their website.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/> The original service areas were spaced {{convert|45|mi|km}} apart.<ref name="driven-2" />

There are six [[Rest area|service areas]] located along the highway:
*The [[Belle Plaine, Kansas|Belle Plaine]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;26) opened on July&nbsp;24, 2003, replacing a previous structure at the site that had been destroyed by a grease fire.<ref name="eagle-rebuilt"/> It contains a 24-hour gas station and [[convenience store]] ([[Love's]]), a fast food restaurant ([[McDonald's]]), a weather kiosk, a Kansas Travel Information Center, and a gift shop.<ref name="KTA FAQ">{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://www.ksturnpike.com/about/faq |title = Kansas Turnpike Authority Frequently Asked Questions |access-date = December 19, 2014 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100923080414/http://ksturnpike.com/ktaabout.shtml |archive-date = September 23, 2010 }}</ref>
*The [[Towanda, Kansas|Towanda]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;65, six miles south of [[El Dorado, Kansas|El Dorado]]) provides a 24-hour gas station and convenience store and a weather kiosk.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/>
*The [[Matfield Green, Kansas|Matfield Green]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;97) shares the design of the Towanda service area, and also provides a 24-hour gas station and convenience store, and a weather kiosk.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/>  The service area at Matfield Green also contains a {{convert|175|sqft|m2|adj=on}}<ref name="turnpike-times-spr-2004">{{cite news |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |title = Rockne Memorial Reopens at Matfield Green Service Area |work = Turnpike Times |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |date = Spring 2004 }}</ref> memorial to [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] football coach [[Knute Rockne]], who died in a [[1931 Transcontinental & Western Air Fokker F-10 crash|1931&nbsp;plane crash]] near [[Bazaar, Kansas|Bazaar]], a few miles north of the service area.<ref>{{cite web |author = Kansas Turnpike Authority |url = http://ksturnpike.com/files/03annrep.pdf |title = Kansas Turnpike Authority 2003 Annual Report |page = 7 |access-date = March 15, 2008 |publisher = Kansas Turnpike Authority |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080414143906/http://ksturnpike.com/files/03annrep.pdf |archive-date = April 14, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
*The [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;132), like the two service areas to the south, includes a 24-hour gas station and convenience store and two fast food restaurants. Additionally, the facility provides an outdoor exercise area and [[playground]] for children.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/>
*The [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;188) opened in May&nbsp;2002. This service plaza features a gift shop and a 24-hour gas station and [[Love's]] convenience store. Previously, five restaurants (including [[Hardee's]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Pizza Hut]] and [[Dunkin' Donuts|Dunkin Donuts]]) operated in the plaza, but all closed on April 14, 2023. A [[McDonald's]] opened in that space in September 2023. [[Godfather's Pizza]] has also opened an outlet, with individual-sized pizzas and breadsticks available.<ref name="KTA FAQ"/> Prior to this plaza's opening, a service area was in the median between exits&nbsp;182 and 183. It closed in May&nbsp;2002 when the present Topeka Service Area opened.<ref>{{cite map |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2001-02Mapside.pdf |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |year = 2001 |format = PDF |edition = 2001–02 |title = Official State Transportation Map |location = Topeka |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |access-date = March 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite map |url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf |edition = 2003–04 |title = Official State Transportation Map |format = PDF |author = Kansas Department of Transportation |year = 2003 |location = Topeka |publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation |access-date = March 30, 2007 |archive-date = June 14, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614151512/http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref>
*The [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]] Service Area (mile&nbsp;209) consists of a 24-hour gas station and Love's convenience store, in addition to a 24-hour [[McDonald's]].<ref name="KTA FAQ"/>

==Exit list==
{{jcttop|exit|length_ref=<ref name="NHPN">{{cite web |author = Federal Highway Administration |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/tools/nhpn/2011/nhpn-stfips_20.zip |title = National Highway Planning Network |date = September 20, 2012 |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = November 22, 2012 |format = [[ESRI shapefile]] }}</ref>}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Sumner
|cspan=4
|township=Guelph
|lspan=2
|ctdab=Sumner
|type=concur
|mile=0.00
|exit=
|road={{jct|state=OK|I|35|dir1=south|city1=Oklahoma City}}
|notes=Continuation into [[Oklahoma]]; southern end of I-35 concurrency
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=4.07
|exit=4
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|166|US|81|to2=y|city1=Arkansas City|city2=South Haven}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|township=Avon
|ctdab=Sumner
|mile=19.21
|exit=19
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|160|city1=Winfield|city2=Wellington}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|township=Harmon
|ctdab=Sumner
|mile=26
|place=Belle Plaine service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county1=Sumner
|county2=Sedgwick
|township1=Belle Plaine
|ctdab1=Sumner
|township2=Salem
|ctdab2=Sedgwick
|mile=33.41
|exit=33
|road={{jct|state=KS|K|53|to2=to|US|81|city1=Mulvane}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Sedgwick
|cspan=6
|township=Salem
|ctdab=Sedgwick
|mile=38.31
|exit=39
|road={{jct|state=KS|to1=To|US|81|city1=Haysville|city2=Derby}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=Wichita
|lspan=5
|mile=43.38
|exit=42
|road={{jct|state=KS|I|135|to2=to|I|235|US|81|location1=[[Wichita, Kansas|South Wichita]]|city2=Salina}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=45.86
|exit=45
|road={{jct|state=KS|K|15|city1=Wichita}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=49.66
|exit=50
|road=Webb Road
|notes=Access via Kellogg Avenue frontage roads
}}
{{KSint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=51.4
|exit=
|road=127th Street East
|notes=Southbound entrance only}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=52
|mile2=52.67
|exit=53
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|54|US|400|K|96}}
|notes=Signed as exits 53A (west) and 53B (east) southbound; [[Electronic toll collection|cashless toll gantry]] at exit 53A<ref name="KSN-TV 2021"/><ref name=Stringer2021/>}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Butler
|cspan=5
|township=Bruno
|ctdab=Butler
|mile=
|exit=57
|road=[[Andover, Kansas|Andover]]
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=Towanda Township
|ctdab=Butler
|mile=65
|place=Towanda service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=El Dorado
|lspan=2
|mile=71.71
|exit=71
|road={{jct|state=KS|K|254|to2=to|K|196|city1=El Dorado}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=76.72
|exit=76
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|77|city1=El Dorado}}
|notes=
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=Cassoday
|mile=93.45
|exit=92
|road={{jct|state=KS|K|177|city1=Cassoday}}
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Chase
|township=Matfield
|ctdab=Chase
|mile=97
|place=Matfield Green service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Lyon
|cspan=3
|location=Emporia
|mile=127.89
|exit=127
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=KS|I|35|dir1=north|US|50|city1=Emporia|city2=Wichita|location3=[[Kansas City, MO|Kansas City]]}}<br>{{Jct|state=KS|I|335|dir1=begins|nolink1=y}}
|notes=Northern end of I-35 concurrency; southern terminus of I-335
}}
{{KSint|exit
|township=Fremont
|ctdab=Lyon
|mile=132
|place=Emporia service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|township=Waterloo
|ctdab=Lyon
|mile=148.00
|exit=147
|road={{Jct|state=KS|US|56|city1=Council Grove|city2=Osage City}}
}}
{{Jctco|state=KS|county=Wabaunsee}}
{{Jctco|state=KS|county=Osage}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Shawnee
|cspan=3
|location=Topeka
|lspan=2
|mile=178.09
|exit=177
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=KS|I|470|dir1=west|to2=to|US|75|city1=Topeka|city2=Salina}}<br>{{Jct|state=KS|I|335|dir1=ends|nolink1=y}}
|notes=Western end of I-470 concurrency; northern terminus of I-335
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=182.95
|exit=182 (EB)<br>183 (WB)
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=KS|I|70|dir1=west|US|40|K|4|city1=Topeka|city2=Valley Falls|city3=Salina}}<br>{{Jct|state=KS|I|470|dir1=ends}}
|notes=Western end of I-70 concurrency; eastern terminus of I-470
}}
{{KSint|exit
|township=Tecumseh
|ctdab=Shawnee
|mile=188
|place=Topeka service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Douglas
|cspan=3
|township=Kanwaka
|ctdab=Douglas
|mile=198.51
|exit=197
|road={{jct|state=KS|K|10|city1=Lecompton|city2=Lawrence}}
|notes=
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=Lawrence
|lspan=2
|mile=203.14
|exit=202
|road={{jct|state=KS|to1=to|US|59|dir1=south|city1=West Lawrence}}
|notes=
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=204.47
|exit=204
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|40|US|59|to3=to|US|24|city1=East Lawrence}}
|notes=
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Leavenworth
|cspan=2
|township=Reno
|ctdab=Leavenworth
|lspan=2
|mile=209
|place=Lawrence service area
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=
|exit=212
|road=[[Tonganoxie, Kansas|Tonganoxie]], [[Eudora, Kansas|Eudora]]
}}
{{KSint|exit
|county=Wyandotte
|cspan=10
|location=Bonner Springs
|mile=225.11
|exit=224
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|73|dir1=north|US|24|dir2=west|US|40|dir3=west|K|7|city1=Leavenworth|city2=Bonner Springs}}
|type=concur
|notes=Western end of US-24/US-40 concurrency
}}
{{KSint|exit
|location=Kansas City
|lspan=9
|mile=
|exit=410
|road=110th Street
|notes=Exit numbers correspond to I-70<br>Access to [[Kansas Speedway]]
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=229.03
|exit=411
|road={{jct|state=KS|I|435}}
|notes=Signed as exits 411A (south) and 411B (north)
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=
|exit=414
|road=78th Street
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=232.94
|exit=415
|road=[[Turner Diagonal]] / College Parkway
|notes=Diverging diamond interchange
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=234.47
|exit=417
|road=57th Street
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=236.08
|exit=418
|road={{jct|state=KS|I|635}}
|notes=Signed as exits 418A (north) and 418B (south) eastbound; westbound access is part of exit 419
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=236.59
|exit=419
|road=Park Drive / 38th Street
}}
{{KSint|exit
|mile=237.88
|mile2=237.98
|mspan=2
|exit=420
|road={{jct|state=KS|US|69|dir1=south|name1=[[18th Street Expressway]]|road|18th Street north}}
|notes=Signed as exits 420A (south) and 420B (north)
}}
{{KSint|exit
|type=concur
|mile=none
|exit=
|road={{jct|state=KS|I|70|US|24|US|40|US|69|dir1=east|dir2=east|dir3=east|dir4=north|city1=Kansas City}}
|notes=Continuation east; eastern end of I-70/US-24/US-40 concurrency
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete,toll}}

==See also==
*{{portal-inline|Kansas}}
*{{portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
* [http://ksturnpike.com/ Kansas Turnpike Authority]
* Kansas Highway Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/MapsState.asp Current] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507230256/http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/MapsState.asp |date=May 7, 2016 }}, [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps.asp Historic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219115640/http://ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps.asp |date=December 19, 2010 }}, KDOT
* [http://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p16884coll75/searchterm/TU1-1/field/identi/mode/exact/conn/and/order/govern/ad/desc Kansas Turnpike Authority Annual Reports] (KGI Library)
* [https://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16884coll75 Publications by Kansas Turnpike Authority in KGI Online Library]
* [https://cdm16884.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16884coll75/id/38 Driven By Vision] (Short history of Kansas Turnpike at KGI Online Library)]

{{3di|35}}

[[Category:Freeways in the United States]]
[[Category:Interstate 35]]
[[Category:Interstate 70]]
[[Category:Toll roads in Kansas]]
[[Category:Tolled sections of Interstate Highways]]
[[Category:Transportation in Sumner County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Sedgwick County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Butler County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Chase County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Lyon County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Wabaunsee County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Osage County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Shawnee County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Douglas County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Leavenworth County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Transportation in Wyandotte County, Kansas]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in Kansas]]