Origin
Derby, KS
Evening in Derby on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derby, KS to Fort Scott, KS
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
156.8 mi
252 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derby, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Scott, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Derby, KS to Fort Scott, KS covers 156.8 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 54, West 1st Street, Kansas Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.8 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.51 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
78.4 miles from Derby, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 156.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 54 and West 1st Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 79.8 miles on US 54.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and West 1st Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
9
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kansas Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kans...
4
32.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
Boyer Road
At end of road, turn right onto Boyer Road
Navigation decision point
4
32.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 54 | 79.8 mi | 1h 33m |
| West 1st Street | 36.5 mi | 41m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 25.7 mi | 25m |
| South Southeast Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| West Central Avenue | 4.9 mi | 9m |
| East Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North National Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Baltimore Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 54
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Fort Scott, KS.
1
Start on this road
121 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
271 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn right onto KS 15
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Baltimore Avenue
4
Continue on KS 15
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Southeast Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Turnpike Drive
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Turnpike Drive
6
Take the ramp
524 ft
·
12 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 35 North: El Dorado, Kansas City, Kansas Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35
26 mi
·
25 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
10
At end of road, turn right onto Boyer Road
260 ft
·
5 sec
·
Boyer Road
11
Take the exit
200 ft
·
5 sec
12
Merge onto KS 254
4.9 mi
·
9 min
·
West Central Avenue
13
Continue on US 54
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 54
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 54
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 54
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 54
417 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Madison Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 54
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on US 54
37 mi
·
41 min
·
West 1st Street
19
Turn right
317 ft
·
18 sec
20
Turn left onto North National Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North National Avenue
21
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
280 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 2nd Street
22
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
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 78.4 miles from Derby, KS, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Scott, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Derby, 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 Derby, KS
This is one driving day of about 156.8 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Derby, 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 US 54 for about 79.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.4 mi from Derby, KS · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Derby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 54 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.8 miles.
Arriving in Fort Scott, KS
The final approach into Fort Scott, 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 Scott, 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
$24.51 one way
$49.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.92 | $53.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.17 | $60.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.28
Kansas Turnpike
(25.7 mi)
$1.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.53 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.72 | $6.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.04 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Fort Scott, KS
Evening in Fort Scott on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Collinsville, OK
78 mi in
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
7 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 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Derby, KS to Fort Scott, KS covers 156.8 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 54, West 1st Street, Kansas Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.4 miles from Derby, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Derby, KS to Fort Scott, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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