Interstate 470 Kansas

Overview

Interstate 470 in Kansas provides a bypass loop of I-70 and the Polk-Quincy Viaduct through Downtown Topeka. The western half, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Highway, constitutes a commuter route and part of U.S. 75, a major highway across Topeka. The eastern half runs along the tolled Kansas Turnpike between Interchanges 177 and 183.

Mileage by State

Kansas

15.38 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

The section of Interstate 470 that overlays the Kansas Turnpike was constructed in 1955 and 1956, with the entire turnpike opening on October 21, 1956. The portions of the Kansas Turnpike that carry I-35, I-70, and I-470 were approved as part of the Interstate Highway System by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1957. The remainder of I-470 west of the toll road was constructed in the 1960s.¹

Interstate 470 was part of the proposed urban Interstate numerology in Kansas approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) on November 10, 1958. 470 was selected for the circumferential highway around Topeka instead of 270 to avoid the duplication of route numbers, since U.S. 270 was already established in the state. Interstate Route 70S was a previous suggestion by the Kansas State Highway Commission submitted to AASHO on June 4, 1958:

In the case of Topeka, we chose to recommend that Route No. 70 pass through the heart of downtown Topeka, as in the case of the City of Wichita. It is our belief that the major route number should be carried on that part of the urban network that carries the major traffic volumes and should pass through or near the center of the metropolitan area. With this in mind, we suggest that the by-pass around the west, south and east parts of Topeka, be designated as No. 70S.

U.S. 75 Bypass was established along Interstate 470 until 1998, when the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved an application by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) on April 19 for both its elimination and the relocation of U.S. 75 from Topeka Boulevard through central Topeka.

A $94 million project started in 1997 redesigned the East Topeka Interchange on the Kansas Turnpike where I-70 and I-470 converge with U.S. 40 and K-4. A new alignment and main line toll plaza for Interstate 70 was constructed, bringing the freeway onto the Turnpike mainline via a high speed wye interchange at the east end of I-470. This eliminated a trumpet interchange and access road leading north to where I-70 presently meets Rice Road at Exit 365. The work also added access to the Oakland Expressway, the route of K-4 northward across the Kansas River to U.S. 24. The new East Topeka Interchange opened to traffic on August 1, 2001.²

East End  ‐ Tecumseh, KS

East at

Interstate 470 angles northeast between an array of subdivisions to the west of Lake Shawnee on the two mile approach to Exit 182 with I-70, U.S. 40 and K-4. 06/18/15

West at

I-70 follows the Kansas Turnpike through eastern Kansas, connecting Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka. The toll road is generally six lanes wide on this stretch due in part to efforts from a $54 million widening between the East Topeka and Lecompton Interchanges completed in 2007³ and the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s 2010 Long-Term Needs Study.⁴ I-70 advances west from the Topeka Service Area to split with the Kansas Turnpike and I-470 at Exit 183. 10/31/16

East at

A folded diamond interchange (Exit 365) was constructed at Rice Road as part of the 1997-2002 East Topeka interchange project. The exit replaced a partial exchange and access road leading south from I-70 to the original trumpet interchange with the Kansas Turnpike. 10/06/21

West at

U.S. 40 west combines with K-4 (Oakland Expressway) south from 6th Avenue. Ramps for I-70, I-470 and the Kansas Turnpike follow in 0.75 miles. 06/19/15

West End  ‐ west Topeka, KS

West North at

A viaduct spans both Wanamaker Road and Huntoon Street at Exit 1 B as I-470 west / U.S. 75 north near the directional T interchange (Exit 1 A) with Interstate 70-U.S. 40/K-4. 10/31/16

East at

K-4 east accompanies I-70/U.S. 40 east from Exit 353 to the two-wye interchange (Exit 355) with Interstate 470 east / U.S. 75 south. SW 10th Avenue (old K-10) parallels the south side of the freeway on this stretch. 10/06/21

West South at

An interchange sequence sign posted one mile ahead of I-470 east and U.S. 75 south (Exit 455) on I-70-U.S. 40/K-4 west. 06/18/15

References

1. Kansas Interstate 50th Anniversary Retrieved from https://www.ksdot.org/interstate50th/default.asp
2. "New interchange opening - $94-million project will open more direct routes for Topeka commuters." Journal-World (Lawrence, KS), August 1, 2001.
3. KUsports.com. (2005, August 25). Two lanes of I-70 to stay open for games. Retrieved from https://www2.kusports.com/news/2005/aug/26/two_lanes_i70_stay_open_games/
4. "Kansas Turnpike lane widening planned from city to K-7." Lawrence Journal-World (KS), April 4, 2010.
5. "Turnpike travelers find service-area changes." Lawrence Journal-World (KS), May 12, 2002.