How far is Clay Center, KS from Fort Dodge, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
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 Kingman 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 Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 11 sec · Southeast 210th Street
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2
Turn left onto Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
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3
Continue on Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
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4
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
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6
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on East 7th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · East 7th Avenue
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9
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
61.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on D Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
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11
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
31.5 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
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12
Continue on East 1st Street
3.1 mi · 7 min · East 1st Street
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13
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
28.7 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
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14
Continue on East Kansas Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Kansas Avenue
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15
Continue on The Yellow Brick Road
8.3 mi · 10 min · The Yellow Brick Road
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16
Keep slight right
31.1 mi · 37 min
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17
Turn left
104 m · 15 sec
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18
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.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
61.2 mi · 01h 12m
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 190.5 miles (306.6 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Penalosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.1 miles from Clay Center and 95.4 miles from Fort Dodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.34 one way or $50.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.7 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 Penalosa
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 Penalosa.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 173.77 mi (279.66 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| 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: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.34 | $50.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.58 | $57.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.27 | $62.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.64 | $71.29 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.