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

The driving distance from Benton, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
173.06 mi
02h 46m
Flight
154.45 mi
248.57 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Benton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.45 mi
Kilometers
248.57 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.06 mi
Kilometers
278.52 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

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 02h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Tue, Apr 14, 8:50 PM CDT
Return by in Benton
Tue, Apr 14, 11:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Benton
2026-04-14T18:04
Arrive Fort Dodge
Tue, Apr 14, 8:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Benton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Sylvia
KS

City in Reno County, Kansas, United States

From Benton
86.4 mi
01h 23m
To Fort Dodge
86.6 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
83°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Benton Street

    54 m · 13 sec · Benton Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    13.3 mi · 15 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 96 West: Hutchinson

    1576 ft · 21 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on KS 96, Hutchinson

    39.6 mi · 44 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US 50 West, KS 14 North, KS 96 West: Kinsley

    921 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto West Illinois Avenue

    3.6 mi · 4 min · West Illinois Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    39.7 mi · 45 min

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    54 m · 2 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    66.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  14. 14

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Benton 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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Illinois Avenue
112 mi · 65%
KS 96
39.6 mi · 23%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 2%
North Main Street
2.24 mi · 1%
KS 96 West
0.3 mi
US 50 West
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

West Illinois Avenue

Exit the roundabout

66.3 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
154.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sylvia
01h 23m from Benton
Leave By
12:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Benton and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km) and usually takes 02h 46m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Sylvia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Benton and 86.6 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Benton and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Sylvia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sylvia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

94 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Benton and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 154.45 mi (248.57 km).

Benton

#1 Benton

City in Kansas

Population865
Coordinates37.7889000, -97.1086500
Altitude419
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: Benton Street (-97.10865, 37.788854)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.12 L · about $23.04
Round trip
$46.08
12.22 gal · 46.24 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.04 $46.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.99 $51.97
Premium $4.65 $28.44 $56.87
Diesel $5.30 $32.41 $64.81

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 · Apr 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Benton and Fort Dodge. The current time is 18:04:26.

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.