How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Gardner, KS?
The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Gardner, KS is about 305.5 miles (491.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 38m 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 05h 49m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Dodge and Gardner.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Gardner.
-
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
66.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
49 m · 2 sec
-
6
Exit the roundabout
79.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, Emporia
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
26.2 mi · 31 min
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US 50 East: Emporia
65 m · 9 sec
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East: Emporia
42.8 mi · 51 min
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
111 m · 5 sec
-
12
Exit the roundabout onto Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
822 ft · 11 sec
-
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward I 35 North: Kansas City
9 m · 1 sec
-
14
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 North: Kansas City
1367 ft · 33 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
79.7 mi · 1 hr 20 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Gardner Road
1384 ft · 39 sec
-
17
Turn left onto Gardner Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Gardner Road
-
18
Continue on South Center Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Center Street
-
19
Turn right onto East Main Street
29 m · 5 sec · East Main Street
-
20
Turn right
19 m · 4 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge and Gardner.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 35 North
Merge slight left
79.7 mi · 01h 20m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Gardner?
The road trip is about 305.5 miles (491.7 km) and usually takes 05h 49m 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?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Fort Dodge and 153 miles from Gardner.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 5:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.65 one way or $81.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Gardner. Straight-line distance: 281.67 mi (453.3 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 Gardner
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 2,941 |
| Coordinates | 38.8108400, -94.9271900 |
| Altitude | 323 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gardner (-94.92719, 38.81084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 492 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.65 | $81.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.85 | $91.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.17 | $100.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.18 | $114.35 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.