How far is Clay Center, KS from Fort Dodge, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 218.7 miles (352 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 40m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Ellsworth County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Fort Dodge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Fort Dodge.
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1
Start on 6th Street
1248 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street
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2
Turn left onto Crawford Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Crawford Street
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3
Continue on 18th Road
11.8 mi · 14 min · 18th Road
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4
Continue on Eagle Road
16.2 mi · 19 min · Eagle Road
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5
Take the ramp left toward Salina
1520 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto 140th Road
33.7 mi · 35 min · 140th Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Hays
2424 ft · 46 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25 mi · 25 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
931 ft · 28 sec
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10
Turn left
47.9 mi · 56 min
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11
Take the ramp slight right
3.8 mi · 6 min
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12
Turn left onto Main Street
2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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13
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue
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15
At the end of the road, turn left
19.3 mi · 23 min
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16
Turn left onto Broadway Street
1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street
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17
Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street
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18
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue
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19
Turn right onto East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street
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20
Turn left onto 117 Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road
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21
Turn sharp right
1.7 mi · 2 min
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22
Turn left
104 m · 15 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Fort Dodge.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
47.9 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Clay Center 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 Clay Center to Fort Dodge?
The road trip is about 218.7 miles (352 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Holyrood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.8 miles from Clay Center and 106.9 miles from Fort Dodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 9:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.11 one way or $58.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Stop Ideas Near Holyrood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Holyrood.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 189.67 mi (305.25 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 4,173 |
| Coordinates | 39.3769400, -97.1247400 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Dodge
City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 28,075 |
| Coordinates | 37.7319600, -99.9354100 |
| Altitude | 751 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.11 | $58.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.83 | $65.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.93 | $71.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.95 | $81.89 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.