ToClearSkies

Live readout · Observed —

Sensitive lungs: skip outdoor workouts

Topeka is breathing 6.5 cigarettes a week

Nothing cleaner nearby How we count it →

As everyday air for years, this means meaningfully more heart, lung and early-death risk.

20.5
PM2.5 µg/m³
72
US AQI
Moderate
Category
2.6
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

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Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

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Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Topeka Low smoke · AQI 0–50 Some pollution · AQI 51–100 Unhealthy (sensitive) · AQI 101–150 Unhealthy+ · AQI 151+
Top pick
Manhattan
Cel-shaded illustration of Manhattan
#1ManhattanLow smoke · AQI 37Checking road routesaves 4.4 cigs/wk

Kansas· PM2.5 6.7 µg/m³

Flint Hills college town with lodging northeast of Wichita and west of Kansas City.

67% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6.7 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

13.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

67% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 22, 10:12 a.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

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Emporia
Cel-shaded illustration of Emporia
#2EmporiaLow smoke · AQI 43Checking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

Kansas· PM2.5 7.7 µg/m³

Kansas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

62% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.7 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.7/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

12.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

62% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 22, 10:27 a.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

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Lawrence
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawrence
#3LawrenceLow smoke · AQI 48Checking road routesaves 3.8 cigs/wk

Kansas· PM2.5 8.7 µg/m³

Kansas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

58% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 8.7 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.7/22 × 7 = 2.8 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 22, 10:27 a.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

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Kansas City
Cel-shaded illustration of Kansas City
#4Kansas CitySome particle pollution · AQI 59Checking road routesaves 2.3 cigs/wk

Missouri· PM2.5 13.3 µg/m³

A major Missouri city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

35% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 13.3 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.3/22 × 7 = 4.2 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

35% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

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Lee's Summit
Cel-shaded illustration of Lee's Summit
#5Lee's SummitSome particle pollution · AQI 59Checking road routesaves 2.2 cigs/wk

Missouri· PM2.5 13.5 µg/m³

Missouri community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

34% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 13.5 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.5/22 × 7 = 4.3 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

34% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Saint Joseph
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Joseph
#6Saint JosephSome particle pollution · AQI 63Checking road routesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

Missouri· PM2.5 15.8 µg/m³

Missouri community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

23% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 15.8 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15.8/22 × 7 = 5.0 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

23% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Saint Marys
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Marys
#7Saint MarysParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Holton
Cel-shaded illustration of Holton
#8HoltonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Osage City
Cel-shaded illustration of Osage City
#9Osage CityParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Eudora
Cel-shaded illustration of Eudora
#10EudoraParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Tonganoxie
Cel-shaded illustration of Tonganoxie
#11TonganoxieParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Baldwin City
Cel-shaded illustration of Baldwin City
#12Baldwin CityParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Beatrice
Cel-shaded illustration of Beatrice
#13BeatriceLow smoke · AQI 49Checking road routesaves 3.7 cigs/wk

Nebraska· PM2.5 8.8 µg/m³

Nebraska community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

57% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 8.8 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.8/22 × 7 = 2.8 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

57% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 22, 10:27 a.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Newton
Cel-shaded illustration of Newton
#14NewtonSome particle pollution · AQI 68Checking road routesaves 0.7 cigs/wk

Kansas· PM2.5 18.2 µg/m³

Kansas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

11% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 18.2 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.2/22 × 7 = 5.8 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Oak Grove
Cel-shaded illustration of Oak Grove
#15Oak GroveParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Abilene
Cel-shaded illustration of Abilene
#16AbileneParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lawson
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawson
#17LawsonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 6.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Marshalltown
Cel-shaded illustration of Marshalltown
#18MarshalltownLow smoke · AQI 14Checking road routesaves 5.7 cigs/wk

Iowa· PM2.5 2.6 µg/m³

Iowa community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

87% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.6 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.6/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

17.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

87% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 22, 10:27 a.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Galena
Cel-shaded illustration of Galena
#19GalenaLow smoke · AQI 15Checking road routesaves 5.7 cigs/wk

Illinois· PM2.5 2.7 µg/m³

Restored 19th-century town among the wooded bluffs of Illinois' driftless northwest, a hilly reset from the flatlands, with historic inns and B&Bs.

87% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.7 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.7/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

17.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

87% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Saint Charles
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Charles
#20Saint CharlesLow smoke · AQI 16Checking road routesaves 5.6 cigs/wk

Missouri· PM2.5 2.8 µg/m³

Missouri community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.8 µg/m³ here vs 20.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.8/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

17.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Last scan Jul 22, 10:27 a.m. EDT · 34 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

All 54 Canadian cities →
TorontoMontréalVancouverCalgaryEdmontonOttawaWinnipegQuébec CityHamiltonKitchener-WaterlooLondonHalifaxVictoriaWindsorOshawaSaskatoonReginaSt. CatharinesKelownaBarrieSherbrookeGuelphAbbotsfordKingstonGreater SudburySaguenayTrois-RivièresMonctonSaint JohnSt. John'sThunder BayPeterboroughLethbridgeNanaimoKamloopsMississaugaBramptonSault Ste. MarieNorth BayWhitehorsePrince GeorgeFort McMurrayMedicine HatFrederictonYellowknifeChilliwackBellevilleBrantfordSurreyLavalMarkhamVaughanBurnabyRichmond
All 145 U.S. cities →
New York CityLos AngelesChicagoHoustonPhoenixPhiladelphiaSan AntonioSan DiegoDallasFort WorthJacksonvilleAustinSan JoseCharlotteColumbusIndianapolisSan FranciscoSeattleDenverWashington, D.C.NashvilleOklahoma CityBostonPortlandLas VegasDetroitMemphisLouisvilleBaltimoreMilwaukeeAlbuquerqueTucsonFresnoSacramentoAtlantaKansas CityColorado SpringsOmahaRaleighMiamiVirginia BeachMinneapolisTulsaTampaWichitaClevelandNew OrleansPittsburghCincinnatiSt. LouisOrlandoBuffaloSalt Lake CityRichmondBirminghamCharlestonProvidenceHartfordGrand RapidsEugeneBoiseSpokaneMissoulaBillingsBozemanRenoBakersfieldStocktonModestoRiversideSan BernardinoChicoReddingSalemMedfordBendYakimaAnchorageEl PasoAmarilloLubbockLittle RockBaton RougeShreveportJacksonMobileMontgomeryKnoxvilleLexingtonDaytonToledoAkronFort WayneDes MoinesMadisonGreen BayFargoSioux FallsRapid CityAlbanyRochesterSyracuseWorcesterSpringfieldAllentownHarrisburgNorfolkGreensboroWinston-SalemDurhamColumbiaGreenvilleAugustaTallahasseeSarasotaFort MyersSt. PetersburgSpringfieldBoulderFort CollinsProvoOgdenHonoluluCorpus ChristiBellinghamTacomaOlympiaYumaErieScrantonYoungstownCantonPeoriaRockfordPensacolaLafayetteBeaumontWacoMcAllenLaredoMesaArlingtonAuroraAnaheimHenderson

What this means · Topeka

Oof.

6.5cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

20.5 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural air. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Exceptionally clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good, not pristine. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy for sensitive. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Unhealthy. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 20.5 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 20.5/22 × 7 = 6.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →