How far is Colby, KS from Hays, KS?

The driving distance from Colby, KS to Hays, KS is about 109.4 miles (176 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 14m 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
109.36 mi
01h 37m
Flight
99.13 mi
159.53 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Colby.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.13 mi
Kilometers
159.53 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.36 mi
Kilometers
175.99 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 01h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hays
Sat, Apr 11, 4:41 PM CDT
Return by in Colby
Sat, Apr 11, 6:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Colby
2026-04-11T15:03
Arrive Hays
Sat, Apr 11, 4:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Colby
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
Quinter
KS

City in Gove County, Kansas, United States

From Colby
54.6 mi
00h 48m
To Hays
54.7 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S
Destination
75°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 29 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Colby and Hays.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colby and Hays.

  1. 1

    Start on West 3rd Street

    668 ft · 35 sec · West 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Range Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North Range Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1241 ft · 30 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    105 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 183: Hays, Stockton

    1031 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto North Vine Street

    119 m · 9 sec · North Vine Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street

    40 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street

    1172 ft · 29 sec · North Vine Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street

    104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street

    2425 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East 27th Street

    1218 ft · 30 sec · East 27th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street

    574 ft · 18 sec · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    89 m · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Colby and Hays.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
105 mi · 96%
North Range Avenue
2.22 mi · 2%
North Vine Street
0.84 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.53 mi
East 27th Street
0.23 mi
US 183
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

105 mi · 01h 45m

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
01h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
99.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Quinter
00h 48m from Colby
Leave By
3:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Colby and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hays.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Colby to Hays?

The road trip is about 109.4 miles (176 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?

Quinter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.6 miles from Colby and 54.7 miles from Hays.

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

The direct path is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.56 one way or $29.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Colby and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hays.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Colby and Hays. Straight-line distance: 99.13 mi (159.53 km).

Colby

#1 Colby

City in Thomas County, Kansas, United States of America

Population5,315
Coordinates39.3958400, -101.0523800
Altitude963
CountryUnited States
Hays

#2 Hays

City in Kansas, United States

Population20,829
Coordinates38.8791800, -99.3267700
Altitude616
CountryUnited States
Start: West 3rd Street (-101.052379, 39.396069)
End: (-99.32671, 38.879268)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.86 gal
14.61 L · about $14.56
Round trip
$29.11
7.72 gal · 29.22 L
Estimated CO2
34.3 kg one way
Round trip: 68.6 kg / 151 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.56 $29.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.42 $32.83
Premium $4.65 $17.96 $35.93
Diesel $5.30 $20.47 $40.95

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Colby and Hays. The current time is 15:03:49.

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.