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

The driving distance from Towanda, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.54 mi
02h 52m
Flight
160.41 mi
258.15 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Towanda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
160.41 mi
Kilometers
258.15 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.54 mi
Kilometers
287.33 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 02h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Fri, May 1, 6:52 AM CDT
Return by in Towanda
Fri, May 1, 9:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Towanda
2026-05-01T03:59
Arrive Fort Dodge
Fri, May 1, 6:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Towanda
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Sylvia
KS

City in Reno County, Kansas, United States

From Towanda
89.2 mi
01h 26m
To Fort Dodge
89.4 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NE
Destination
65°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    58 m · 20 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 5th Street

    591 ft · 28 sec · North 5th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1330 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Southwest River Valley Road

    1678 ft · 52 sec · Southwest River Valley Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Southwest 20th Street

    18.8 mi · 21 min · Southwest 20th Street

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 96 West: Hutchinson

    1576 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on KS 96, Hutchinson

    39.6 mi · 44 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto US 50 West, KS 14 North, KS 96 West: Kinsley

    921 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto West Illinois Avenue

    3.6 mi · 4 min · West Illinois Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    39.7 mi · 45 min

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    54 m · 2 sec

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout

    66.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 117 Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · 117 Road

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    104 m · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Towanda 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
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Illinois Avenue
112 mi · 63%
KS 96
39.6 mi · 22%
Southwest 20th Street
20.4 mi · 11%
117 Road
3.92 mi · 2%
Southwest River Valley Road
0.32 mi
KS 96 West
0.3 mi
Longest Stretch

West Illinois Avenue

Exit the roundabout

66.3 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
160.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sylvia
01h 26m from Towanda
Leave By
12:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Towanda and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Sylvia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Towanda and 89.4 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Towanda and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Fort Dodge.

Stop Ideas Near Sylvia

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

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

RAIL

Hutchinson

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

Newton

94 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Towanda and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 160.41 mi (258.15 km).

Towanda

#1 Towanda

Township in Butler County, Kansas

Population1,446
Coordinates37.7975200, -96.9997600
Altitude394
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: High Street (-96.999752, 37.797038)
End: (-99.935528, 37.731981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.85 L · about $23.76
Round trip
$47.51
12.6 gal · 47.7 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.76 $47.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.79 $53.59
Premium $4.65 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.30 $33.42 $66.83

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Towanda and Fort Dodge. The current time is 03:59:56.

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.