How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Abilene, KS?

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Abilene, KS is about 186 miles (299.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.7 miles (271.5 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
185.95 mi
03h 40m
Flight
168.71 mi
271.52 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Dodge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.71 mi
Kilometers
271.52 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.95 mi
Kilometers
299.26 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Abilene
Thu, Apr 16, 12:14 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Thu, Apr 16, 3:54 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-04-16T08:33
Arrive Abilene
Thu, Apr 16, 12:14 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Dodge
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Ellinwood
KS

City in Barton County, Kansas, United States of America

From Fort Dodge
92.9 mi
01h 50m
To Abilene
93.1 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Dodge and Abilene.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Abilene.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    104 m · 18 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  4. 4

    Turn right

    29.3 mi · 34 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 46 sec · Niles Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    25.1 mi · 30 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    19.3 mi · 23 min · East 14th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street

    46 m · 4 sec · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Railroad Avenue

    2815 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    3.8 mi · 6 min · 10th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward I-70 East, Salina

    1227 ft · 30 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 15: Abilene, Clay Center

    989 ft · 28 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Buckeye Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Buckeye Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Buckeye Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge and Abilene.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 27%
East 14th Street
19.3 mi · 10%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 2%
10th Street
3.79 mi · 2%
Railroad Avenue
2.63 mi · 1%
North Buckeye Avenue
1.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

49.4 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.3 mi
168.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellinwood
01h 50m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
9:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Sunny near Abilene.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Abilene?

The road trip is about 186 miles (299.3 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?

Ellinwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.9 miles from Fort Dodge and 93.1 miles from Abilene.

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

The direct path is about 168.7 miles (271.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 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 $24.74 one way or $49.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Sunny near Abilene.

Stop Ideas Near Ellinwood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ellinwood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Great Bend City Hall
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

Great Bend City Hall

Great Bend , KS
1209 Williams St, Great Bend, KS 67530
Rating 4.2/5 21 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 6.5 mi away

Ellinwood City Administrator

Ellinwood , KS
104 E 2nd St, Ellinwood, KS 67526
City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

Bushton City Hall

Bushton , KS
217 S Main St, Bushton, KS 67427
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Fire station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ellinwood.

RAIL

Hutchinson

66 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave
RAIL

Newton

113 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Abilene. Straight-line distance: 168.71 mi (271.52 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Fort Dodge

City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States

Population28,075
Coordinates37.7319600, -99.9354100
Altitude751
CountryUnited States
Abilene

#2 Abilene

City in Kansas, United States

Population6,123
Coordinates38.9172200, -97.2139100
Altitude352
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Dodge (-99.93541, 37.73196)
End: Abilene (-97.21391, 38.91722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 299 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.56 gal
24.84 L · about $24.74
Round trip
$49.48
13.12 gal · 49.68 L
Estimated CO2
58.3 kg one way
Round trip: 116.6 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.74 $49.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.90 $55.80
Premium $4.65 $30.53 $61.06
Diesel $5.30 $34.79 $69.59

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Abilene. The current time is 08:33:50.

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.