OKRoads -- U.S. 81 Kansas

U.S. 81 runs from Fort Worth, Texas, to the U.S./Canada border near Pembina, North Dakota. The federal highway is four-laned through much of the Sunflower State, from Wichita northward. Between Wichita and Salina, U.S. 81 is duplexed with Interstate 135. After the interstate's northern terminus at Interstate 70, U.S. 81 continues as a four-lane divided highway all the way to Interstate 80 in York, Nebraska, and the only stoplights between Salina and York are located in Concordia.

U.S. 81 South
	Welcome to Kansas sign as U.S. 81 South enters the Sunflower State. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching the Kansas Travel Info Center - 1/4 mile. The center is located on the east side of the highway. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at the Kansas Travel Info Center. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching U.S. 36 - 1/2 mile. U.S. 36 travels across the northern tier of the state, connecting Atwood, Norton, Belleville (which is where this intersection is), Marysville, Hiawatha, and Elwood. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Use U.S. 36 East to the Republic County Historical Museum and U.S. 36 West to Kansas 266 North to the Pawnee Indian Village Museum. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at U.S. 36 West. The diamond interchange favors U.S. 36, although the east-west highway is just two lanes wide at this point. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching U.S. 36 East. The city of Washington (pop. 1,223) is 32 miles to the east. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at U.S. 36 East. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Mileage sign on U.S. 81 South after U.S. 36. Kansas 148 is eight miles ahead, Concordia is 16 miles away, and Salina is 69 miles away. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 148 - 1/2 mile. Kansas 148 connects Kansas 14 in Jewell to the Nebraska state line north of Hanover. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Agenda (pop. 81) is 13 miles to the east, and Norway, an unincorporated community, is six miles to the west. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 148. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South crosses the Republican River as it enters the city of Concordia, population 5,714. The only stoplights on U.S. 81 from south Wichita to York, Nebraska, are located in this city. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 9 and Kansas 28 in Concordia. This is the first signage indicating the highway intersection, and the intersection is mere feet ahead. Beloit, the seat of Mitchell County, is 32 miles to the southwest via Kansas 9. The city of Clyde (pop. 740) is 14 miles to the east. This intersection marks the eastern terminus of Kansas 28. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 9 and Kansas 28 West. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	After departing Concordia, we see yet another mileage sign. The sign provides the first mention of Interstate 70, 47 miles north of the nearly cross-country interstate. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching U.S. 24 - 1/2 mile. U.S. 24 travels through Goodland, Colby, Osborne, Beloit, Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City during its routing in Kansas. Nationally, the federal highway travels from Minturn, Colorado, to Clarkston, Michigan. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Use U.S. 24 West to the city of Glasco. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at U.S. 24. Beloit (pop. 4,019) is 26 miles to the west, and Clay Center (pop. 4,564) is 29 miles to the east. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 41 - 1/2 mile. Kansas 41 travels five miles from U.S. 81 to the city of Delphos. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South just before the westbound beginning of Kansas 41. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 41 West. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	The next highway is Kansas 106 in 11 miles, where U.S. 81 changes from an at-grade expressway to a freeway. Interstate 70 is now 28 miles ahead. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 106 - 1/2 mile. The state highway travels from Kansas 18 north to Minneapolis, then heads east to the Ottawa State Fishing Lake. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Use this exit to the Ottawa County Historical Museum. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 106. Minneapolis is two miles to the west and is the seat of Ottawa County. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	The next interchange is at Kansas 18 in seven miles. Interstate 70 is 17 miles away. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 18 - 1 mile. A controlled burn was taking place just ahead, hence the distant plume of black smoke. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Use Kansas 18 East to the city of Bennington, population 623. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 18. Junction City is 45 miles to the east, and Lincoln is 28 miles to the west. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	For the first time, Interstate 135 is mentioned on this mileage sign just south of Kansas 18, nine miles prior to the junction. Kansas 143 (five miles) is the final southbound interchange before Interstate 135 begins. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching the Ottawa County rest area - 1 mile. It was closed due to construction on U.S. 81. The next rest area is 34 miles ahead on Interstate 135/U.S. 81 in McPherson County. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at the Ottawa County rest area. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South approaching Kansas 143 - 1 mile. Kansas 143 connects U.S. 81 to Interstate 70 in north Salina. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	U.S. 81 South at Kansas 143. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Distant view of the BGS for the Kansas 143 exit. Traffic was shifted onto the northbound lanes while the southbound lanes were being reconstructed. (Photo taken 7/14/05)
	Mileage sign on U.S. 81 South just past Kansas 143. Interstate 70 and Interstate 135 are three miles ahead, and Salina is six miles ahead. To continue on Interstate 135, please head to the Interstate 135 Kansas guide. (Photo taken 7/14/05)