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Trip from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

162.5 mi

261 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Colby, KS, KS

Colby, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fort Dodge, KS, KS

Fort Dodge, KS

Shea B

Trip Overview

The drive from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 162.5 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on County Road 440, US 50, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.2 miles on County Road 440. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.68 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.2 miles from Colby, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 162.5 miles and takes about 3h 15m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
County Road 440 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 25 / North Range Avenue.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 25 / North Range Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | KS 25 / North Range Avenue

Turn left onto KS 25 / North Range Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
18.4 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward US 83: Oakley, Oberlin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 83: Oakley, Oberlin
4
23.4 mi into trip | ~27m in | US 40; US 83 / Eagle Eye

Turn left onto US 40; US 83 / Eagle Eye

Navigation decision point

6
105.7 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | US 50 Business / East Fulton Street

Turn left onto US 50 Business / East Fulton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Oberlin along the way.

Oberlin

18.4 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
County Road 440 80.2 mi 1h 31m
US 50 47.3 mi 57m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 15.8 mi 15m
US 83 4.8 mi 5m
West Trail Street 4.4 mi 7m
North Range Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
East Fulton Street 1.9 mi 2m
US 400 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: County Road 440 — 80.2 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colby, KS and Fort Dodge, KS.

1

Start on West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · West 3rd Street
2

Turn left onto KS 25

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Range Avenue
3

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec
4

Merge onto I 70

16 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 83: Oakley, Oberlin
6

Turn right onto US 83

4.8 mi · 5 min · US 83
7

Turn left onto US 40; US 83

1.0 mi · 1 min · Eagle Eye
8

Turn right onto US 83

80 mi · 1 hr 31 min · County Road 440
9

Turn slight left onto West Buffalo Jones Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Buffalo Jones Avenue
10

Continue on West Walnut Street

467 ft · 13 sec · West Walnut Street
11

Turn right onto US 50 Business; US 83 Business

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Main Street
12

Turn left onto US 50 Business

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Fulton Street
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on US 50; US 400

45 mi · 54 min · US 50; US 400
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on US 50; US 400

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 50; US 400
15

Continue on Wyatt Earp Boulevard

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on West Wyatt Earp Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
17

Turn right onto North 14th Avenue

515 ft · 15 sec · North 14th Avenue
18

Turn left onto West Trail Street

4.4 mi · 7 min · West Trail Street
19

Continue on US 400

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 400
20

Turn right

343 ft · 14 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.2 miles from Colby, KS, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81.2 miles or 1h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Dodge, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Colby, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Colby, KS

This is one driving day of about 162.5 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colby, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on County Road 440 for about 80.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 81.2 mi from Colby, KS · 1h 33m into the drive

Downtown Garden City, KS, KS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Garden City, KS

81 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Garden City, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Garden City, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Colby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before County Road 440 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.2 miles.

Arriving in Fort Dodge, KS

The final approach into Fort Dodge, KS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fort Dodge, KS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.68 one way

$49.36 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $27.21 $54.42
premium $4.80 $30.68 $61.35
diesel $5.64 $36.10 $72.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.8 0 $17.06 $7.80
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.22 $6.50
EV Truck/SUV 65 0 $22.75 $10.40

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 17 hours ago

Origin

Colby, KS

Evening in Colby on Sunday

Local time

7:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 10 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Destination

Fort Dodge, KS

Evening in Fort Dodge on Sunday

Local time

7:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 18 mph 14% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:10AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 15m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 162.5 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are County Road 440, US 50, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.2 miles from Colby, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 25 / North Range Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Colby, KS to Fort Dodge, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Oberlin along the way.

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Return Trip

Fort Dodge, KS to Colby, KS

Plan the drive back the other way.

162.5 mi 3h 17m

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