Kansas travel

[Takemeanywhere]

DH and I are heading west to spend some time in southern California with our daughter's family. Good old Google Maps has directed us to a route that cuts off a good bit of travel by angling us from Wichita west/southwest on federal highways 400, 54 and 183. The route eventually intersects with I-40 at Tucumcari, NM and the route is familiar from there.

Has anyone done much traveling on 400, 54 and 183 in Kansas and a bit of Oklahoma?

[tatest]

My experience is with US-400, US-166 in the eastern half of the state, and US-54 east of US-169. Then 400 again from Dodge City into Colorado.

US numbers highways in Kansas are usually pretty good, with generous lane widths, good shoulders, and passing lanes where needed. One thing to keep in mind for Kansas is the importance of "Keep Right Except to Pass" because the passing lanes are usually marked for use by traffic traveling in both directions.

Can't vouch for Oklahoma, the US highway system just hasn't been getting as much money, and many of the highways are still at 1960s to 1980s standards with 10-11 foot lanes, soft narrow shoulders sloping into a nearby bar ditch. I'll sometimes go a few miles out of my way up into Kansas to take US-166 from one place in northern Oklahoma to another, rather than use the northernmost Oklahoma highway (in this case, a state highway with even lower standards).

[Les_Balty]

Hopefully, the world's largest hand dug well is open in Greensburg, KS. A tornado wiped them out a few years back. You can see wagon ruts on the old Santa Fe Trail along both 56 and 54. Watch for prairie dog villages too. I used to give the wife my SW KS Wildlife report when I returned to Wichita when I commanded the Army Recruiting company out there. Enjoy your trip! Blessings.

[D_E_Bishop]

it is amazing the things you folks can come up with. I've heard of the round barn but imagine, a pet tarantula. There is so much fun available here, and I'm very serious, you can travel the width and breath of this fantastic country looking at all the fantastic, silly and obscure things that you all known about. Keep it up and keep it posted, we're still planning trips for the next few years.

[janstey58]

The Tucumcari KOA is a great stop, and neat town to visit also. Ask the KOA manager to show you his pet tarantula spider in the water valve compartment near the front of the KOA office!

[SDcampowneroper]

54 Wichita to New Mexico is a good route. Say hello to my hometown Mullinville ( my home farm was 3s, 31/2 w ) when you pass in a blink.
If you have an interest in homestead history, go 4mi. s then 2 1/2w from Mullinville to the Fromme- Birney 16 sided round barn, restored, with exhibits , free. No attendant. Boondockers welcome. A wonder of the plains.

[Goldencrazy]

Well that route is certainly a lot less miles and time than taking 35 to Oklahoma City and joining 40 there.

[RoyF]

Take a look at the Dalton gang hideout in Meade, Kansas, on US 54 about 50 miles before Oklahoma. However, I think that US 56 across Kansas has more points of interest and better scenery. You can connect with I-40 in New Mexico in several ways.

[Takemeanywhere]

What good news! I have no idea why we've never thought of using this route before. Stuck in old habits, obviously. Again, many thanks!

[Sully2]

Once you get on US 54....just stay on 54...all the way to Tucumcari

[GWolfe]

I agree with what has been said, good roads both ways out of Wichita, I have used them many times.

[Road_Runners]

I have been on that road from Tucumcari to Wichita and it's a good one.

[Takemeanywhere]

Many thanks, TexasShadow and racer chaser! You guys are the best!

[racerchaser]

400 East of Wichita is very good. There is no reason to believe it is any different west of Wichita.

[TexasShadow]

54 is a fairly good highway all the way to Tucumcari. I don't see the other two roads you mentioned. Several years ago, we stayed at a pretty nice RV park in Dalhart, on 54 as you are entering the town. Corral RV park. It was nice and clean and well shaded with big pecan trees when we were there.