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

The driving distance from Hays, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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
102.75 mi
01h 47m
Flight
85.86 mi
138.18 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
85.86 mi
Kilometers
138.18 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
102.75 mi
Kilometers
165.36 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Wed, Apr 29, 9:38 AM CDT
Return by in Hays
Wed, Apr 29, 11:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hays
2026-04-29T07:51
Arrive Fort Dodge
Wed, Apr 29, 9:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:56 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
Garfield
KS

Human settlement in Pawnee County, Kansas, United States of America

From Hays
52.1 mi
00h 53m
To Fort Dodge
50.7 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
34°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
34°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    89 m · 24 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 8th Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · East 8th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    1752 ft · 45 sec · Vine Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 250th Avenue

    66.7 mi · 1 hr 24 min · 250th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  9. 9

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
250th Avenue
66.7 mi · 65%
East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 28%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 4%
East 8th Street
0.83 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.65 mi · 1%
Niles Avenue
0.51 mi
Longest Stretch

250th Avenue

Continue on 250th Avenue

66.7 mi · 01h 24m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.9 mi
85.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Garfield
00h 53m from Hays
Leave By
2:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Hays and Partly Cloudy near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Garfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Hays and 50.7 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 2:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.65 one way or $27.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Hays and Partly Cloudy near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Garfield

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

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

RAIL

Dodge City

77 mi away
Central Ave & Wyatt Earp St.
RAIL

Hutchinson

115 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 85.86 mi (138.18 km).

Hays

#1 Hays

City in Kansas, United States

Population20,829
Coordinates38.8791800, -99.3267700
Altitude616
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Fort Dodge

City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States

Population28,075
Coordinates37.7319600, -99.9354100
Altitude751
CountryUnited States
Start: (-99.32671, 38.879268)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 165 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.62 gal
13.72 L · about $13.65
Round trip
$27.30
7.24 gal · 27.44 L
Estimated CO2
32.2 kg one way
Round trip: 64.3 kg / 142 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.65 $27.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.40 $30.79
Premium $4.65 $16.85 $33.69
Diesel $5.30 $19.20 $38.40

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Hays and Fort Dodge. The current time is 07:51:28.

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.