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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GREENSBURG (AP) -- The quickest route from Pratt to Dodge City is 21 to 46 miles longer than normal these days, and officials are asking the motoring public to remain patient until at least after the Memorial Day holiday.

The May 4 tornado that devastated Greensburg forced the closing of U.S. 54 between Greensburg and Pratt -- a 30-mile stretch that, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation, normally carries more than 4,300 vehicles per day. The number rises around major holidays, such as Memorial Day.

It's not known how long the road will remain closed, but state officials say it won't reopen until at least after the holiday weekend.

Since the tornado, the highway is being used by KDOT, the Kansas National Guard and other agencies to haul debris out of Greensburg. KDOT alone has taken about 8,300 loads over the past two weeks, said Kim Stich, information specialist for the department.

Its heaviest day was May 15, when it removed 1,052 trucks full of trash.

One reason to keep the road closed, she said, is to keep motorists safe from debris that sometimes falls from the trucks.

Martin Miller, KDOT public affairs manager, said trucks clearing debris have had 400 to 500 flat tires in the past two weeks because of nails, screws and other sharp objects in the debris. Motorists traveling the area would likely meet the same fate, he said.

Morgan Palace, an auto travel service representative for AAA, said people have been understanding about the detour, which can reroute a vehicle 21 to 46 miles out of its way.

''We just encourage them and remind them of the tragedy and that we have no control over this,'' she said.

Palace helps drivers negotiate alternate routes, which for westbound traffic may mean cutting north on U.S. 281 at Pratt to U.S. 50.

Tom Whitaker, executive director of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, said the detour can get expensive, especially for truck drivers.

Semi trucks, he said, average about five miles to the gallon. The detour could cost drivers between about $11 and $25 just on gas. Even so, he said, he hasn't heard a complaint from any of the 1,150 member firms within the association.

''I think that everyone understands the seriousness of this disaster and has either found a different route to travel -- a lot have been moved up to Highway 50 -- or anticipated additional time they'd have to take on their trip,'' Whitaker said.

For the most part, Palace said, she encourages people to take the detour.

''A lot of people are concerned about how far out of their way they're going to go if they use completely different routes,'' she said. ''Their main concern is time, mileage and how far out they're going to be.''

But in some cases, a total rerouting may be helpful. For example, Palace said she'd suggest someone traveling to Arizona or New Mexico go south to Oklahoma City and then west through the state and the Texas Panhandle rather than taking U.S. 54 and the detour.