How far is Valley Center, KS from Dodge City, KS?
The driving distance from Valley Center, KS to Dodge City, KS is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Stafford County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Valley Center and Dodge City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley Center and Dodge City.
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1
Start on North Park Avenue
13 m · 4 sec · North Park Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
110 m · 18 sec · West 2nd Street
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3
Turn right onto North Meridian Street
930 ft · 21 sec · North Meridian Street
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4
Continue on North Meridian Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Meridian Avenue
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5
Exit the roundabout onto North Meridian Avenue
3.6 mi · 7 min · North Meridian Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 235 South, KS 96 West
99 m · 8 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on KS 96 West
1352 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left
39 mi · 43 min
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9
Turn left onto US 50 West, KS 14 North, KS 96 West: Kinsley
921 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto West Illinois Avenue
3.6 mi · 4 min · West Illinois Avenue
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
39.7 mi · 45 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
54 m · 2 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
68.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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15
Turn left
3.1 mi · 4 min
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16
Continue on East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Valley Center and Dodge City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Illinois Avenue
Exit the roundabout
68.3 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Valley Center and Sunny near Dodge City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Valley Center to Dodge City?
The road trip is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Stafford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.7 miles from Valley Center and 79.5 miles from Dodge City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 1:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Valley Center and Sunny near Dodge City.
Stop Ideas Near Stafford
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 Stafford.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Valley Center and Dodge City. Straight-line distance: 144.45 mi (232.47 km).
#1 Valley Center
Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas
| Population | 7,385 |
| Coordinates | 37.8347300, -97.3733800 |
| Altitude | 410 |
| 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: Central Avenue (-100.016971, 37.752801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.46 | $42.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.48 | $52.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.