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

The driving distance from Fort Dodge, KS to Wakarusa, KS is about 278.7 miles (448.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m 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
278.77 mi
05h 17m
Flight
243.26 mi
391.49 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
243.26 mi
Kilometers
391.49 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
278.77 mi
Kilometers
448.64 km
Drive Time
05h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wakarusa
Wed, May 13, 8:37 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Dodge
Thu, May 14, 1:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Dodge
2026-05-13T15:19
Arrive Wakarusa
Wed, May 13, 8:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:18 AM to 1:18 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:24 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
Glendale
KS

Unincorporated community in Saline County, Kansas

From Fort Dodge
139.2 mi
02h 38m
To Wakarusa
139.6 mi
02h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 18 mph ESE
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    29.3 mi · 34 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 46 sec · Niles Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    25.1 mi · 30 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    19.3 mi · 23 min · East 14th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street

    46 m · 4 sec · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Railroad Avenue

    2815 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    3.8 mi · 6 min · 10th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward I-70 East, Salina

    1227 ft · 30 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, US 75 South

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on US 75 South: Burlingame Road

    6.8 mi · 8 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right

    1993 ft · 49 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Southwest Topeka Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Southwest Topeka Boulevard

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Southwest 97th Street

    2738 ft · 2 min · Southwest 97th Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Southwest Jordan Road

    1591 ft · 1 min · Southwest Jordan Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    55 m · 13 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Southwest Kingston Road

    9 m · 1 sec · Southwest Kingston Road

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest Kingston Road

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
79 mi · 28%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.5 mi · 18%
East 14th Street
19.3 mi · 7%
US 75 South
7.17 mi · 3%
I 470 South
5.58 mi · 2%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

74.7 mi · 01h 15m

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
05h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.4 mi
243.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glendale
02h 38m from Fort Dodge
Leave By
6:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Dodge and Sunny near Wakarusa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 278.7 miles (448.6 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?

Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.2 miles from Fort Dodge and 139.6 miles from Wakarusa.

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

The direct path is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 6:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.11 one way or $74.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glendale

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

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

105 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Dodge and Wakarusa. Straight-line distance: 243.26 mi (391.49 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Wakarusa

Census-designated place in Shawnee County, Kansas

Population2,174
Coordinates38.8858400, -95.6958200
Altitude290
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Dodge (-99.93541, 37.73196)
End: Wakarusa (-95.69582, 38.88584)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 449 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.84 gal
37.24 L · about $37.11
Round trip
$74.21
19.68 gal · 74.48 L
Estimated CO2
87.4 kg one way
Round trip: 174.9 kg / 386 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.11 $74.21
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.85 $83.70
Premium $4.65 $45.80 $91.59
Diesel $5.30 $52.19 $104.38

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

There is no time difference between Fort Dodge and Wakarusa. The current time is 15:19:37.

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.