How far is Hays, KS from Colby, KS?

The driving distance from Hays, KS to Colby, KS is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
109.5 mi
01h 55m
Flight
99.13 mi
159.53 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hays.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.13 mi
Kilometers
159.53 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.5 mi
Kilometers
176.22 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

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 01h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colby
Sat, Apr 11, 6:51 PM CDT
Return by in Hays
Sat, Apr 11, 8:46 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hays
2026-04-11T16:56
Arrive Colby
Sat, Apr 11, 6:51 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hays
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Quinter
KS

City in Gove County, Kansas, United States

From Hays
54.7 mi
00h 57m
To Colby
54.8 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 29 mph S
Destination
76°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Colby.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Colby.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    89 m · 27 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Main Street

    2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West 27th Street

    1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Vine Street

    2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street

    105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street

    1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street

    39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street

    104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street

  10. 10

    Continue on North Vine Street

    928 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Vine Street

    104 m · 5 sec · North Vine Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street

    61 m · 9 sec · North Vine Street

  13. 13

    Take the exit right

    959 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    104.9 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti

    1176 ft · 29 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Range Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · South Range Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    668 ft · 29 sec · West 3rd Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Colby.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
105 mi · 96%
South Range Avenue
2.09 mi · 2%
North Vine Street
1.3 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.53 mi
West 27th Street
0.23 mi
KS 25
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

105 mi · 01h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
99.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Quinter
00h 57m from Hays
Leave By
2:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hays and Rain Showers Likely near Colby.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hays to Colby?

The road trip is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km) and usually takes 01h 55m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Quinter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.7 miles from Hays and 54.8 miles from Colby.

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

The direct path is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.56 one way or $29.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Hays and Rain Showers Likely near Colby.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Colby. Straight-line distance: 99.13 mi (159.53 km).

Hays

#1 Hays

City in Kansas, United States

Population20,829
Coordinates38.8791800, -99.3267700
Altitude616
CountryUnited States
Colby

#2 Colby

City in Thomas County, Kansas, United States of America

Population5,315
Coordinates39.3958400, -101.0523800
Altitude963
CountryUnited States
Start: Hays (-99.32677, 38.87918)
End: Colby (-101.05238, 39.39584)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.86 gal
14.63 L · about $14.56
Round trip
$29.11
7.72 gal · 29.26 L
Estimated CO2
34.3 kg one way
Round trip: 68.6 kg / 151 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.56 $29.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.42 $32.83
Premium $4.65 $17.96 $35.93
Diesel $5.30 $20.47 $40.95

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 · Apr 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Hays and Colby. The current time is 16:56:21.

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.