The Furthest Kansas Drive — and One of the Best
Colby sits in the far northwest corner of Kansas, 220 miles from our distillery in Marquette. It's the longest drive of any of our Kansas city pages, and we think it's worth every mile. Western Kansas doesn't have a single craft distillery, which means you have to head east to find one — and when you do, you'll discover 10 handcrafted spirits, a historic tasting room, and a small-town experience that feels a world away from I-70.
Getting Here from Colby
Take I-70 E from Colby all the way to Salina — about 175 miles of wide-open interstate across western and central Kansas. In Salina, exit onto KS-4 W and follow it through Lindsborg to Marquette. The last 25 miles through the Smoky Hills are the most scenic part of the drive, with rolling terrain and prairie vistas that reward the trip.
The entire route is straightforward: one interstate and one state highway, minimal turns, and light traffic once you're past Hays.
Nearest Retailers
The closest stores carrying our spirits are in Salina, right along your route:
- Brook's Liquor — full selection of all 10 spirits
- Cave Divers Liquor Store — complete vodka, bourbon, and whiskey lineup
Stop on the way through Salina to pick up bottles, or wait until you reach the distillery to taste everything first and shop our retail store.
Make It an Overnight Trip
At three hours each way, we recommend making this a two-day trip. Here's how to get the most out of your drive east:
Day 1 — Eastbound:
- Morning: Depart Colby on I-70 E. Stop in WaKeeney or Hays for coffee
- Midday: Continue through Russell and Salina
- Early Afternoon: Arrive in Marquette, check into Preston House (sleeps 11)
- Afternoon: Guided tour and tasting at Smoky Valley Distillery
- Evening: Live music at the distillery venue (Friday or Saturday)
Day 2 — Explore and Return:
- Morning: Drive 25 minutes to Lindsborg for breakfast and the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
- Late Morning: Visit the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby's sister small towns along the way, or explore Mushroom Rock State Park near Marquette
- Afternoon: Head back west with a cooler full of Kansas craft spirits
Western Kansas Deserves Great Spirits
There's no craft distillery anywhere near Colby — the nearest options are hundreds of miles away in other states. Smoky Valley Distillery was built to serve all of Kansas, including the west. Our Rye Whiskey and Smoked Jalapeno Vodka are favorites among visitors who make the trip from towns like Colby, Goodland, and Garden City. You drove a long way — we make sure the experience lives up to it.