How far is Paola, KS from Dodge City, KS?
The driving distance from Paola, KS to Dodge City, KS is about 308.9 miles (497.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paola and Dodge City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paola and Dodge City.
-
1
Start on South Silver Street
2691 ft · 1 min · South Silver Street
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2
Continue on North Pearl Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Pearl Street
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3
Continue on Old Kansas City Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Old Kansas City Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
106 m · 7 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
20.5 mi · 36 min
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6
Turn left onto I 35 South, US 59 South, US 50 West: Wichita
1376 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left
59.5 mi · 1 hr
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
1268 ft · 37 sec
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
132 m · 6 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout
814 ft · 12 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
10 m · 1 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout
42.8 mi · 51 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 50 West: Newton
60 m · 9 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout onto US 50 West: Newton
25.3 mi · 30 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
3.2 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 50, KS 15: Hutchinson
39.9 mi · 47 min
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17
Keep slight left
39.7 mi · 45 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
54 m · 2 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
68.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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20
Turn left
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
21
Continue on East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
-
22
Turn right onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paola and Dodge City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 50
Exit the roundabout
68.3 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Paola and Partly Sunny near Dodge City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paola to Dodge City?
The road trip is about 308.9 miles (497.1 km) and usually takes 06h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.2 miles from Paola and 154.7 miles from Dodge City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.53 one way or $91.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Paola and Partly Sunny near Dodge City.
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 Paola and Dodge City. Straight-line distance: 284.76 mi (458.28 km).
#1 Paola
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,108 |
| Coordinates | 38.5722400, -94.8791300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dodge City
City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 27,104 |
| Coordinates | 37.7528000, -100.0170800 |
| Altitude | 760 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dodge City (-100.01708, 37.7528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.18 | $45.53 | $91.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.52 | $49.31 | $98.62 |
| Premium | $4.89 | $53.28 | $106.56 |
| Diesel | $6.25 | $68.11 | $136.23 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026