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

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Towanda, KS is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m 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
178.64 mi
03h 26m
Flight
160.41 mi
258.15 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
160.41 mi
Kilometers
258.15 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.64 mi
Kilometers
287.49 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

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 03h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Towanda
Fri, May 1, 8:56 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Fri, May 1, 12:23 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-05-01T05:29
Arrive Towanda
Fri, May 1, 8:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:06 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
Sylvia
KS

City in Reno County, Kansas, United States

From Fort Dodge
89.2 mi
01h 43m
To Towanda
89.5 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph NE
Destination
64°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    45.3 mi · 52 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 96

    1047 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Wichita

    41.9 mi · 46 min

  9. 9

    Continue on KS 254, El Dorado

    18.4 mi · 20 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Southwest River Valley Road

    1532 ft · 42 sec · Southwest River Valley Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Main Street

    1330 ft · 45 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North 5th Street

    591 ft · 28 sec · North 5th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    58 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
117 Road
49.3 mi · 28%
Wichita
41.9 mi · 23%
KS 254
18.4 mi · 10%
Southwest River Valley Road
0.29 mi
Main Street
0.25 mi
KS 96
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

66.3 mi · 01h 17m

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
03h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
160.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sylvia
01h 43m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
10:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Fort Dodge and Partly Sunny near Towanda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?

Sylvia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Fort Dodge and 89.5 miles from Towanda.

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

The direct path is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 10:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Fort Dodge and Partly Sunny near Towanda.

Stop Ideas Near Sylvia

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

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

94 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Towanda. Straight-line distance: 160.41 mi (258.15 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
Towanda

#2 Towanda

Township in Butler County, Kansas

Population1,446
Coordinates37.7975200, -96.9997600
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Dodge (-99.93541, 37.73196)
End: Towanda (-96.99976, 37.79752)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.86 L · about $23.76
Round trip
$47.51
12.6 gal · 47.72 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.76 $47.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.79 $53.59
Premium $4.65 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.30 $33.42 $66.83

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Towanda. The current time is 05:29:26.

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.