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

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Derby, KS is about 158.4 miles (255 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
158.45 mi
02h 41m
Flight
146.46 mi
235.7 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Dodge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.46 mi
Kilometers
235.7 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.45 mi
Kilometers
255 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 02h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Derby
Sun, Apr 19, 7:51 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 19, 10:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-04-19T17:09
Arrive Derby
Sun, Apr 19, 7:51 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Dodge
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Preston
KS

City in Kansas, USA

From Fort Dodge
79.2 mi
01h 20m
To Derby
79.3 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph SW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    104 m · 18 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    144.6 mi · 2 hr 54 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward I 235 South

    1914 ft · 47 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    6.4 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 135 South, I 35: Kansas Turnpike

    2513 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    64 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 81: 47th Street

    1339 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East 47th Street South

    2 mi · 4 min · East 47th Street South

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South Southeast Boulevard

    3.9 mi · 6 min · South Southeast Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on North Baltimore Avenue

    2237 ft · 45 sec · North Baltimore Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    83 m · 17 sec · East Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left

    37 m · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 235 South
6.72 mi · 4%
South Southeast Boulevard
3.93 mi · 2%
East 47th Street South
2 mi · 1%
I 135 South
0.52 mi
North Baltimore Avenue
0.42 mi
US 81
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

145 mi · 02h 54m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
146.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Preston
01h 20m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Sunny near Derby.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 158.4 miles (255 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Preston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Fort Dodge and 79.3 miles from Derby.

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

The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.08 one way or $42.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Preston

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

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

111 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Derby. Straight-line distance: 146.46 mi (235.7 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
Derby

#2 Derby

City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States

Population25,145
Coordinates37.5455700, -97.2689300
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Start: (-99.935528, 37.731981)
End: North Georgie (-97.268759, 37.545571)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 255 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.59 gal
21.17 L · about $21.08
Round trip
$42.16
11.18 gal · 42.34 L
Estimated CO2
49.7 kg one way
Round trip: 99.4 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.08 $42.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.77 $47.55
Premium $4.65 $26.02 $52.03
Diesel $5.30 $29.65 $59.30

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Derby. The current time is 17:09:59.

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.