How far is Hays, KS from Fort Scott, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Fort Scott, KS is about 317.8 miles (511.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 260.3 miles (418.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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 05h 53m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Fort Scott.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Fort Scott.
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1
Start on the route
89 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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3
Continue on Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street
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5
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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7
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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10
Continue on North Vine Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Vine Street
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11
Take the exit slight right
949 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
2112 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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15
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 5 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
1369 ft · 34 sec
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18
Turn left onto KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
9.6 mi · 11 min · KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
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19
Continue on KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
18.9 mi · 22 min · KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
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20
Continue on Northwest State Road 196
135 m · 14 sec · Northwest State Road 196
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21
Take the ramp left
1429 ft · 39 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Southwest 20th Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Southwest 20th Street
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23
Continue on West Central Avenue
4.9 mi · 9 min · West Central Avenue
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24
Continue straight
64.9 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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25
Continue straight
14 mi · 16 min
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26
Continue straight
1.5 km · 3 min
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27
Continue on East Madison Avenue
127 m · 10 sec · East Madison Avenue
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28
Continue on East Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · East Street
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29
Continue on West 1st Street
36.5 mi · 42 min · West 1st Street
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30
Turn right
97 m · 18 sec
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31
Turn left onto North National Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · North National Avenue
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32
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
85 m · 12 sec · West 2nd Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Fort Scott.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hays and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Scott.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Fort Scott?
The road trip is about 317.8 miles (511.5 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.7 miles from Hays and 159.1 miles from Fort Scott.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 260.3 miles (418.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.5 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 5:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.31 one way or $84.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hays and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Scott.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Fort Scott. Straight-line distance: 260.29 mi (418.89 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Scott
City in Kansas, USA
| Population | 7,648 |
| Coordinates | 37.8397600, -94.7083000 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Scott (-94.7083, 37.83976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.31 | $84.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.72 | $95.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.22 | $104.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.51 | $119.02 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.