How far is Fort Dodge, KS from Valley Center, KS?
The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Valley Center, KS is about 159.7 miles (257 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.1 miles (225.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 03h 11m.
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.
Human settlement in Stafford County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Dodge and Valley Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge and Valley Center.
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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
45.3 mi · 52 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward KS 96
1047 ft · 29 sec
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8
Turn right onto Wichita
32.9 mi · 36 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Maize Road, 53rd Street
1761 ft · 43 sec
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10
Turn straight onto North Maize Road
747 ft · 18 sec · North Maize Road
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11
Turn left onto West 53rd Street North
5 mi · 9 min · West 53rd Street North
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12
Turn left onto North Meridian Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · North Meridian Avenue
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13
Exit the roundabout onto North Meridian Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Meridian Avenue
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14
Continue on North Meridian Street
930 ft · 24 sec · North Meridian Street
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15
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
110 m · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
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16
Turn left onto North Park Avenue
13 m · 2 sec · North Park Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Dodge and Valley Center.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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 near Valley Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Dodge to Valley Center?
The road trip is about 159.7 miles (257 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Stafford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Fort Dodge and 80 miles from Valley Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.1 miles (225.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Dodge and Sunny near Valley Center.
Stop Ideas Near Stafford
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 Stafford.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Valley Center. Straight-line distance: 140.08 mi (225.44 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 Valley Center
Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas
| Population | 7,385 |
| Coordinates | 37.8347300, -97.3733800 |
| Altitude | 410 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valley Center (-97.37338, 37.83473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.94 | $47.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.20 | $52.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.