How far is Dodge City, KS from Paola, KS?
The driving distance from Dodge City, KS to Paola, KS is about 308.6 miles (496.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dodge City and Paola.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City and Paola.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
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3
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
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4
Turn right
68.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
49 m · 2 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
79.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, Emporia
2.7 mi · 3 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
26.2 mi · 31 min
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US 50 East: Emporia
65 m · 9 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East: Emporia
42.8 mi · 51 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
111 m · 5 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
822 ft · 11 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward I 35 North: Kansas City
9 m · 1 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 North: Kansas City
1367 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left
59.4 mi · 1 hr
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16
Take the exit slight right toward KS 68: Ottawa, Louisburg
1618 ft · 40 sec
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17
Turn right
20.3 mi · 36 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Old Kansas City Road
5 m · 1 sec · Old Kansas City Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Old Kansas City Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Old Kansas City Road
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20
Continue on North Pearl Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Pearl Street
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21
Continue on North Silver Street
2691 ft · 1 min · North Silver Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Silver Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dodge City and Paola.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Exit the roundabout
79.2 mi · 01h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving Dodge City and Mostly Sunny near Paola.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dodge City to Paola?
The road trip is about 308.6 miles (496.6 km) and usually takes 06h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154 miles from Dodge City and 154.5 miles from Paola.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.49 one way or $90.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Dodge City and Mostly Sunny near Paola.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dodge City and Paola. Straight-line distance: 284.76 mi (458.28 km).
#1 Dodge City
City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 27,104 |
| Coordinates | 37.7528000, -100.0170800 |
| Altitude | 760 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Paola
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,108 |
| Coordinates | 38.5722400, -94.8791300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paola (-94.87913, 38.57224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.18 | $45.49 | $90.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.52 | $49.27 | $98.53 |
| Premium | $4.89 | $53.23 | $106.46 |
| Diesel | $6.25 | $68.05 | $136.10 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026