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

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Benton, KS is about 173.1 miles (278.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m 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
173.11 mi
03h 20m
Flight
154.45 mi
248.57 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
154.45 mi
Kilometers
248.57 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.11 mi
Kilometers
278.59 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Benton
Tue, Apr 14, 11:06 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Wed, Apr 15, 2:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-04-14T19:45
Arrive Benton
Tue, Apr 14, 11:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 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
10:18 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
Sylvia
KS

City in Reno County, Kansas, United States

From Fort Dodge
86.4 mi
01h 40m
To Benton
86.7 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    66.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    49 m · 2 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout

    45.3 mi · 52 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 96

    1047 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Wichita

    41.9 mi · 46 min

  9. 9

    Continue on KS 254, El Dorado

    13 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    3178 ft · 2 min · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Benton Street

    54 m · 8 sec · Benton Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Benton Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
117 Road
49.3 mi · 28%
Wichita
41.9 mi · 24%
KS 254
13 mi · 7%
North Main Street
0.6 mi
KS 96
0.2 mi
Benton Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

66.3 mi · 01h 17m

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 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
154.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sylvia
01h 40m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
10:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Benton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 173.1 miles (278.6 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Sylvia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Fort Dodge and 86.7 miles from Benton.

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

The direct path is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 10:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Benton.

Stop Ideas Near Sylvia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sylvia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

94 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Benton. Straight-line distance: 154.45 mi (248.57 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
Benton

#2 Benton

City in Kansas

Population865
Coordinates37.7889000, -97.1086500
Altitude419
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Dodge (-99.93541, 37.73196)
End: Benton (-97.10865, 37.7889)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.12 L · about $23.04
Round trip
$46.08
12.22 gal · 46.24 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.04 $46.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.99 $51.97
Premium $4.65 $28.44 $56.87
Diesel $5.30 $32.41 $64.81

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Benton. The current time is 19:45:37.

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.