How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Council Grove, KS?

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Council Grove, KS is about 224.8 miles (361.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 197.7 miles (318.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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
224.8 mi
04h 27m
Flight
197.68 mi
318.13 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
197.68 mi
Kilometers
318.13 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
224.8 mi
Kilometers
361.78 km
Drive Time
04h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Council Grove
Tue, Jun 2, 12:02 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Tue, Jun 2, 4:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-06-01T19:34
Arrive Council Grove
Tue, Jun 2, 12:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:04 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
Partridge
KS

Human settlement in Reno County, Kansas, United States of America

From Fort Dodge
112.2 mi
02h 13m
To Council Grove
112.6 mi
02h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
95°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
17 mph SE
Destination
87°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Council Grove.

  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

    79.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, Emporia

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia

    26.2 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US 50 East: Emporia

    65 m · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East: Emporia

    25.1 mi · 29 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit right

    109 m · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right

    19.3 mi · 25 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    127 m · 20 sec · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Mission Street

    62 m · 11 sec · North Mission Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    15 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
117 Road
83.1 mi · 37%
US 50
26.2 mi · 12%
US 50 East
25.2 mi · 11%
I 135 North
2.68 mi · 1%
West Main Street
0.08 mi
North Mission Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

117 Road

Exit the roundabout

79.2 mi · 01h 32m

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
04h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.1 mi
197.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Partridge
02h 13m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
8:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Council Grove.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Council Grove?

The road trip is about 224.8 miles (361.8 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?

Partridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.2 miles from Fort Dodge and 112.6 miles from Council Grove.

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

The direct path is about 197.7 miles (318.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 8:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.90 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Partridge

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Partridge, 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 Partridge.

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

66 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Council Grove. Straight-line distance: 197.68 mi (318.13 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
Council Grove

#2 Council Grove

City in Morris County, Kansas, United States

Population2,100
Coordinates38.6611200, -96.4919500
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Dodge (-99.93541, 37.73196)
End: Council Grove (-96.49195, 38.66112)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 362 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.93 gal
30.03 L · about $29.90
Round trip
$59.81
15.86 gal · 60.06 L
Estimated CO2
70.5 kg one way
Round trip: 140.9 kg / 311 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.90 $59.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.73 $67.45
Premium $4.65 $36.91 $73.81
Diesel $5.30 $42.06 $84.12

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Council Grove. The current time is 19:34:31.

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.