How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Merriam, KS?
The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Merriam, KS is about 325.3 miles (523.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 10m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Harvey County, Kansas, United States
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 Merriam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Merriam.
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1
Start on the route
104 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right
1.7 mi · 2 min
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3
Turn sharp left onto 117 Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road
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4
Turn right
66.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
49 m · 2 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
79.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, Emporia
2.7 mi · 3 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
26.2 mi · 31 min
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US 50 East: Emporia
65 m · 9 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 East: Emporia
42.8 mi · 51 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
111 m · 5 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
822 ft · 11 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward I 35 North: Kansas City
9 m · 1 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 North: Kansas City
1367 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left
94.6 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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16
Continue on I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
3.6 mi · 4 min
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17
Merge slight right
3.4 mi · 4 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Johnson Drive
696 ft · 33 sec
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19
Turn right onto Johnson Drive
718 ft · 18 sec · Johnson Drive
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20
Turn right onto Kessler Lane
145 m · 26 sec · Kessler Lane
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21
Turn left
36 m · 9 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge and Merriam.
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
94.6 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Merriam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Merriam?
The road trip is about 325.3 miles (523.6 km) and usually takes 06h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Walton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.4 miles from Fort Dodge and 162.9 miles from Merriam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.29 one way or $86.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102 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 Merriam.
Stop Ideas Near Walton
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 Walton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Merriam. Straight-line distance: 297.56 mi (478.88 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 Merriam
City in Johnson County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 11,128 |
| Coordinates | 39.0236200, -94.6935700 |
| Altitude | 277 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merriam (-94.69357, 39.02362)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 524 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.29 | $86.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.82 | $97.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.43 | $106.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.89 | $121.78 |
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.