How far is Abilene, KS from Fort Dodge, KS?

The driving distance from Abilene, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 185 miles (297.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.7 miles (271.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
184.96 mi
03h 07m
Flight
168.71 mi
271.52 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Abilene.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.71 mi
Kilometers
271.52 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.96 mi
Kilometers
297.67 km
Drive Time
03h 07m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Tue, May 26, 11:05 AM CDT
Return by in Abilene
Tue, May 26, 2:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Abilene
2026-05-26T07:58
Arrive Fort Dodge
Tue, May 26, 11:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Abilene
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Ellinwood
KS

City in Barton County, Kansas, United States of America

From Abilene
93 mi
01h 33m
To Fort Dodge
92 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
84°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Abilene and Fort Dodge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Abilene and Fort Dodge.

  1. 1

    Start on North Buckeye Avenue

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North Buckeye Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp left

    991 ft · 24 sec

  3. 3

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend

    931 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left

    19.3 mi · 23 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street

    24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Abilene and Fort Dodge.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 27%
East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 16%
Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 13%
KS 156
4 mi · 2%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 2%
Railroad Avenue
2.66 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

49.4 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
168.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellinwood
01h 33m from Abilene
Leave By
10:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Abilene and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Abilene to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 185 miles (297.7 km) and usually takes 03h 07m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Ellinwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93 miles from Abilene and 92 miles from Fort Dodge.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 168.7 miles (271.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Abilene and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Ellinwood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ellinwood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Great Bend City Hall
Scenic stop 9 mi away

Great Bend City Hall

Great Bend , KS
1209 Williams St, Great Bend, KS 67530
Rating 4.2/5 21 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 6.5 mi away

Ellinwood City Administrator

Ellinwood , KS
104 E 2nd St, Ellinwood, KS 67526
City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.7 mi away

Bushton City Hall

Bushton , KS
217 S Main St, Bushton, KS 67427
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Fire station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ellinwood.

RAIL

Hutchinson

66 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave
RAIL

Newton

113 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Abilene and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 168.71 mi (271.52 km).

Abilene

#1 Abilene

City in Kansas, United States

Population6,123
Coordinates38.9172200, -97.2139100
Altitude352
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Fort Dodge

City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States

Population28,075
Coordinates37.7319600, -99.9354100
Altitude751
CountryUnited States
Start: North Buckeye Avenue (-97.21393, 38.91722)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.53 gal
24.71 L · about $24.62
Round trip
$49.25
13.06 gal · 49.42 L
Estimated CO2
58 kg one way
Round trip: 116.1 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.62 $49.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.77 $55.54
Premium $4.65 $30.39 $60.78
Diesel $5.30 $34.64 $69.27

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Kansas · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Abilene and Fort Dodge. The current time is 07:58:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.