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

The driving distance from Carbondale, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 279.3 miles (449.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 242.2 miles (389.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m 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
279.3 mi
04h 29m
Flight
242.22 mi
389.82 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carbondale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
242.22 mi
Kilometers
389.82 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
279.3 mi
Kilometers
449.49 km
Drive Time
04h 29m

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 04h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 10:00 AM CDT
Return by in Carbondale
Sun, May 31, 2:30 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carbondale
2026-05-31T05:30
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 10:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carbondale
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Glendale
KS

Unincorporated community in Saline County, Kansas

From Carbondale
142 mi
02h 14m
To Fort Dodge
137.3 mi
02h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 31 4:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 4th Street

    40 m · 8 sec · South 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1630 ft · 52 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    852 ft · 21 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    17.1 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Wanamaker Road, Huntoon Street

    1298 ft · 32 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    50 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Southwest Wanamaker Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Southwest Wanamaker Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Salina

    1255 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    81.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  11. 11

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

    931 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left

    19.3 mi · 23 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street

    24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  23. 23

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  24. 24

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
81.1 mi · 29%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 18%
East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 10%
Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 9%
Main Street
18 mi · 6%
KS 156
4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

81.1 mi · 01h 21m

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
04h 29m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.1 mi
242.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glendale
02h 14m from Carbondale
Leave By
8:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 279.3 miles (449.5 km) and usually takes 04h 29m 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?

Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142 miles from Carbondale and 137.3 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 242.2 miles (389.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.1 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 8:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.18 one way or $74.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glendale

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Glendale, 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 Glendale.

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

105 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 242.22 mi (389.82 km).

Carbondale

#1 Carbondale

City in Osage County, Kansas, United States

Population1,347
Coordinates38.8186200, -95.6891500
Altitude343
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: South 4th Street (-95.688747, 38.818625)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 449 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.86 gal
37.31 L · about $37.18
Round trip
$74.36
19.72 gal · 74.62 L
Estimated CO2
87.6 kg one way
Round trip: 175.3 kg / 386 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.18 $74.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.93 $83.87
Premium $4.65 $45.89 $91.78
Diesel $5.30 $52.30 $104.59

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Carbondale and Fort Dodge. The current time is 05:30:16.

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.