How far is Hays, KS from Ulysses, KS?

The driving distance from Hays, KS to Ulysses, KS is about 193.2 miles (311 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142 miles (228.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 50m 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
193.24 mi
03h 55m
Flight
141.98 mi
228.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hays.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.98 mi
Kilometers
228.49 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.24 mi
Kilometers
310.99 km
Drive Time
03h 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 03h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ulysses
Thu, Apr 23, 9:37 AM CDT
Return by in Hays
Thu, Apr 23, 1:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hays
2026-04-23T05:42
Arrive Ulysses
Thu, Apr 23, 9:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:10 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hays
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
Jetmore
KS

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

From Hays
96.6 mi
01h 57m
To Ulysses
96.7 mi
01h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 mph W
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    46.5 mi · 56 min · 250th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    88 mi · 1 hr 43 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1534 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    29 mi · 33 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    2398 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    26.8 mi · 35 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Missouri Street

    1563 ft · 48 sec · South Missouri Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East Grant Avenue

    92 m · 15 sec · East Grant Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Court Street

    69 m · 10 sec · North Court Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Court Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
250th Avenue
76.2 mi · 39%
East 8th Street
0.83 mi
Main Street
0.65 mi
Vine Street
0.33 mi
South Missouri Street
0.3 mi
East Grant Avenue
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

88 mi · 01h 43m

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
03h 55m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.2 mi
142 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jetmore
01h 57m from Hays
Leave By
9:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Hays and Mostly Sunny near Ulysses.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 193.2 miles (311 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?

Jetmore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.6 miles from Hays and 96.7 miles from Ulysses.

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

The direct path is about 142 miles (228.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 9:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Hays and Mostly Sunny near Ulysses.

Stop Ideas Near Jetmore

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

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

RAIL

Dodge City

38 mi away
Central Ave & Wyatt Earp St.
RAIL

Garden City

87 mi away
100 North 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Ulysses. Straight-line distance: 141.98 mi (228.49 km).

Hays

#1 Hays

City in Kansas, United States

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

#2 Ulysses

City in and the county seat of Grant County, Kansas, United States

Population5,546
Coordinates37.5814100, -101.3551700
Altitude930
CountryUnited States
Start: Hays (-99.32677, 38.87918)
End: Ulysses (-101.35517, 37.58141)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 311 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.82 gal
25.81 L · about $25.72
Round trip
$51.44
13.64 gal · 51.62 L
Estimated CO2
60.6 kg one way
Round trip: 121.2 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.72 $51.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.01 $58.01
Premium $4.65 $31.74 $63.48
Diesel $5.30 $36.17 $72.35

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Hays and Ulysses. The current time is 05:42:33.

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.