How far is Derby, KS from Fort Dodge, KS?
The driving distance from Derby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Kansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Derby and Fort Dodge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derby and Fort Dodge.
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1
Start on the route
37 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
83 m · 14 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn right onto North Baltimore Avenue
2237 ft · 40 sec · North Baltimore Avenue
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4
Continue on South Southeast Boulevard
9 mi · 14 min · South Southeast Boulevard
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5
Continue on South Washington Street
2877 ft · 53 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1040 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
42.7 mi · 49 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on D Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
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9
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
31.5 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
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10
Continue on East 1st Street
3.1 mi · 7 min · East 1st Street
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11
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
28.7 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
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12
Continue on East Kansas Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Kansas Avenue
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13
Continue on The Yellow Brick Road
8.3 mi · 10 min · The Yellow Brick Road
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14
Keep slight right
31.1 mi · 37 min
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15
Turn left
104 m · 15 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Derby 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
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
42.7 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Derby 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 Derby to Fort Dodge?
The road trip is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Preston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Derby and 79 miles from Fort Dodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 1:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.08 one way or $42.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Derby and Sunny near Fort Dodge.
Stop Ideas Near Preston
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 Preston.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Derby and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 146.46 mi (235.7 km).
#1 Derby
City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 25,145 |
| Coordinates | 37.5455700, -97.2689300 |
| Altitude | 394 |
| 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: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.08 | $42.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.77 | $47.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.02 | $52.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.65 | $59.30 |
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.