Road Tripping from Barrington, Illinois to Wichita, Kansas: How Long Should You Expect to Take?

Are you planning a road trip from Barrington, Illinois to Wichita, Kansas, but you're not sure how long it will take? Look no further! In this article, we'll outline the fastest and slowest routes, the distance of that route, the time it takes based on traffic patterns, and what you can do to make the most of your journey.

The Fastest and Slowest Routes

There are two main routes to take when traveling from Barrington to Wichita. The faster route is to take I-55 South and I-44 West through St. Louis and Tulsa. This route is roughly 650 miles and should take you around 10 hours to drive.

The other route is slower, but it's more scenic. You can take I-80 West, I-29 South, I-70 West, and I-335 South. This route is around 1,000 miles long and takes around 16 hours to drive.

Timing Matters

It's important to consider that timing is everything when it comes to making a long drive. If you hit rush hour traffic, you could add hours to your journey. Generally, rush hour in major cities like St. Louis and Tulsa happens from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. So plan your stopovers accordingly if you want to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

On the other hand, if you travel during off-peak hours, you could shave off a few hours from your drive time. This would be early in the morning or later at night. Driving at night is not recommended if you are not used to it and you want to stay safe.

The Bottom Line

The fastest route from Barrington to Wichita takes around 10 hours, and the slower, more scenic route can take around 16 hours. Timing plays a huge role in how long it will take you to get there, so if you're in a rush, plan to avoid peak rush hour traffic. And if you have the time, take the scenic route and enjoy the journey.

Now that you know how long it takes to drive from Barrington to Wichita, you can plan your trip with ease and excitement. Be sure to enjoy the journey and make memories along the way!