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

The driving distance from Minneapolis, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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
173.17 mi
03h 00m
Flight
154.19 mi
248.14 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.19 mi
Kilometers
248.14 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.17 mi
Kilometers
278.69 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 3:46 PM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Sun, May 31, 6:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-05-31T12:45
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 3:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 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
10:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
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
Ellinwood
KS

City in Barton County, Kansas, United States of America

From Minneapolis
89.7 mi
01h 30m
To Fort Dodge
83.5 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 4:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 31 4:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    61 m · 17 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Rock Street

    42 m · 7 sec · North Rock Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 1st Street

    1250 ft · 27 sec · East 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Rothsay Avenue

    1295 ft · 31 sec · South Rothsay Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Laurel Street

    2679 ft · 53 sec · Laurel Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 106

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 106

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward Salina

    2399 ft · 59 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    16.5 mi · 17 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Hays

    2424 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    25 mi · 25 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend

    931 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left

    19.3 mi · 23 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street

    24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  23. 23

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  24. 24

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 17%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25 mi · 14%
Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 14%
Salina
17 mi · 10%
KS 156
4 mi · 2%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

47.9 mi · 00h 56m

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 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19 mi
154.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellinwood
01h 30m from Minneapolis
Leave By
10:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Minneapolis and Clear near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?

Ellinwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Minneapolis and 83.5 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 10:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Minneapolis and Clear near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Ellinwood

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ellinwood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Great Bend City Hall
Scenic stop 6.1 mi away

Great Bend City Hall

Great Bend , KS
1209 Williams St, Great Bend, KS 67530
Rating 4.2/5 21 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

Ellinwood City Administrator

Ellinwood , KS
104 E 2nd St, Ellinwood, KS 67526
City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ellinwood.

RAIL

Hutchinson

66 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave
RAIL

Newton

113 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 154.19 mi (248.14 km).

Minneapolis

#1 Minneapolis

City in Ottawa County, Kansas, United States

Population1,897
Coordinates39.1219400, -97.7067000
Altitude390
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: North Sheridan Street (-97.707129, 39.121938)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.13 L · about $23.04
Round trip
$46.08
12.22 gal · 46.26 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.04 $46.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.99 $51.97
Premium $4.65 $28.44 $56.87
Diesel $5.30 $32.41 $64.81

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Fort Dodge. The current time is 12:45:56.

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.