How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Clay Center, KS?
The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Ellsworth County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Dodge and Clay Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Clay Center.
-
1
Start on the route
104 m · 18 sec
-
2
Turn right
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
3
Turn sharp left onto 117 Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road
-
4
Turn right
29.3 mi · 34 min
-
5
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
2707 ft · 46 sec · Niles Avenue
-
6
Turn right
25.1 mi · 30 min
-
7
Turn right onto East 14th Street
19.3 mi · 23 min · East 14th Street
-
8
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue
-
9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
46 m · 4 sec · Washington Street
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Railroad Avenue
2815 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
-
11
Turn left onto Main Street
2161 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
-
12
Turn right onto 10th Street
3.8 mi · 6 min · 10th Street
-
13
Turn left
47.9 mi · 56 min
-
14
Take the ramp right toward I-70 East, Salina
1227 ft · 30 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25.3 mi · 25 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 81 North: Concordia
1119 ft · 39 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
34 mi · 35 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right
1865 ft · 53 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Deer Road
16 mi · 19 min · Deer Road
-
20
Continue on 18th Road
11.8 mi · 14 min · 18th Road
-
21
Continue on West Crawford Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Crawford Street
-
22
Turn right onto 6th Street
1248 ft · 27 sec · 6th Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge and Clay Center.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
47.9 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Sunny near Clay Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Clay Center?
The road trip is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?
Holyrood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112 miles from Fort Dodge and 112.2 miles from Clay Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.83 one way or $59.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Sunny near Clay Center.
Stop Ideas Near Holyrood
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 Holyrood.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 189.67 mi (305.25 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 4,173 |
| Coordinates | 39.3769400, -97.1247400 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clay Center (-97.12474, 39.37694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.64 | $67.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.81 | $73.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.95 | $83.91 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.