How far is Silver Lake, KS from Fort Dodge, KS?

The driving distance from Silver Lake, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 264.6 miles (425.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.2 miles (386.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m 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
264.58 mi
04h 18m
Flight
240.17 mi
386.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Silver Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.17 mi
Kilometers
386.51 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
264.58 mi
Kilometers
425.8 km
Drive Time
04h 18m

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 04h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 9:33 AM CDT
Return by in Silver Lake
Sun, May 31, 1:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Silver Lake
2026-05-31T05:14
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, May 31, 9:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Silver Lake
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
Carneiro
KS

Unincorporated community in Ellsworth County, Kansas

From Silver Lake
132.2 mi
02h 09m
To Fort Dodge
132.4 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 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 Silver Lake and Fort Dodge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Silver Lake and Fort Dodge.

  1. 1

    Start on South Chestnut Street

    141 m · 17 sec · South Chestnut Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Railroad Street

    1079 ft · 46 sec · West Railroad Street

  3. 3

    Continue on West Railroad Avenue

    3.7 mi · 5 min · West Railroad Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn sharp left onto Northwest Crawford Road

    2633 ft · 2 min · Northwest Crawford Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Northwest 39th Street

    1 mi · 4 min · Northwest 39th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Northwest Carlson Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Northwest Carlson Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Wabaunsee Street

    1 km · 2 min · Wabaunsee Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Northwest Carlson Road

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Northwest Carlson Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right

    1064 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  12. 12

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

    931 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    47.9 mi · 56 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp slight right

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2161 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    2965 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn left

    19.3 mi · 23 min

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Broadway Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Northeast Trail Street

    24.3 mi · 29 min · Northeast Trail Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Niles Avenue

    2707 ft · 48 sec · Niles Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    29.3 mi · 34 min · East 10th Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  24. 24

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  25. 25

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Silver Lake 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
26 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
70.8 mi · 27%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 19%
East 10th Street
29.3 mi · 11%
Northeast Trail Street
24.3 mi · 9%
KS 156
4 mi · 2%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

70.8 mi · 01h 11m

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
04h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.4 mi
240.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carneiro
02h 09m from Silver Lake
Leave By
8:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 264.6 miles (425.8 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?

Carneiro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.2 miles from Silver Lake and 132.4 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 240.2 miles (386.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 8:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.22 one way or $70.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Silver Lake and Clear near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Carneiro

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

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

97 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Silver Lake and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 240.17 mi (386.51 km).

Silver Lake

#1 Silver Lake

City in Shawnee County, Kansas, United States

Population1,395
Coordinates39.1041700, -95.8586000
Altitude278
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: South Chestnut Street (-95.858625, 39.104204)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 426 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.34 gal
35.34 L · about $35.22
Round trip
$70.44
18.68 gal · 70.68 L
Estimated CO2
83 kg one way
Round trip: 166 kg / 366 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.22 $70.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.72 $79.45
Premium $4.65 $43.47 $86.94
Diesel $5.30 $49.54 $99.08

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 Silver Lake and Fort Dodge. The current time is 05:14:56.

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.