How far is Hays, KS from Elkhart, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Elkhart, KS is about 226.1 miles (363.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.3 miles (306.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 18m 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 04h 39m.
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.
City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States
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 Hays and Elkhart.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Elkhart.
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1
Start on the route
89 m · 24 sec
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto East 8th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East 8th Street
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4
Turn right onto Vine Street
1752 ft · 45 sec · Vine Street
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5
Continue on 250th Avenue
66.7 mi · 1 hr 24 min · 250th Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue
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7
Turn right onto East 10th Street
31.3 mi · 36 min · East 10th Street
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8
Turn left
3.1 mi · 4 min
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9
Turn left
3.9 mi · 5 min
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10
Keep slight right
833 ft · 11 sec
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11
Turn straight
85.9 mi · 1 hr 45 min
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12
Turn right onto West 11th Street
7.6 mi · 9 min · West 11th Street
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13
Continue straight
24.5 mi · 29 min
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14
Turn right onto North Street
1863 ft · 57 sec · North Street
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15
Turn left onto Rankin Road
898 ft · 39 sec · Rankin Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rankin Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Elkhart.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn straight
85.9 mi · 01h 45m
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 Hays and Sunny near Elkhart.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Elkhart?
The road trip is about 226.1 miles (363.9 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?
Dodge City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113 miles from Hays and 113.2 miles from Elkhart.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.3 miles (306.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 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 7:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.09 one way or $60.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Sunny near Elkhart.
Stop Ideas Near Dodge City
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 Dodge City.
Dodge City
Garden City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Elkhart. Straight-line distance: 190.31 mi (306.27 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elkhart
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 1,727 |
| Coordinates | 37.0080800, -101.8901700 |
| Altitude | 1094 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elkhart (-101.89017, 37.00808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.09 | $60.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.94 | $67.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.14 | $74.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.33 | $84.65 |
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.