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Trip from Derby, KS to Hugoton, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 8m

Distance

251.1 mi

404 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 55m ★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m

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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city in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands region of England

Derby, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hugoton, KS, KS

Hugoton, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Derby, KS to Hugoton, KS covers 251.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 56, Cannonball Stageline, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.2 miles on US 56. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.26 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

125.5 miles from Derby, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 251.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (49%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Derby, KS to Hugoton, KS covers 251.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m, 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 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 56 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.2 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 early in the drive near East Main Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles (US 400): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These 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
10.2 mi into trip | ~16m in | US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
128.1 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | US 400

Keep slight right at fork onto US 400

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
161.8 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | US 56; US 283; US 400

Turn left onto US 56; US 283; US 400

Navigation decision point

5
251 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in | South Jackson Street

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 56 89.2 mi 1h 48m
Cannonball Stageline 60.2 mi 1h 8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 42.7 mi 49m
US 400 33.7 mi 40m
South Southeast Boulevard 9 mi 13m
The Yellow Brick Road 8.3 mi 9m
East 1st Street 3.1 mi 6m
D Avenue 2.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 56 — 89.2 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Derby, KS and Hugoton, 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

9.0 mi · 13 min · South Southeast Boulevard
5

Continue on South Washington Street

0.5 mi · 52 sec · South Washington Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
7

Merge onto US 54; US 400

43 mi · 49 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14

2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
9

Continue on US 54; US 400

31 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 54; US 400

3.1 mi · 6 min · East 1st Street
11

Continue on US 54; US 400

29 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
12

Continue on US 54; US 400

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Kansas Avenue
13

Continue on US 54; US 400

8.3 mi · 9 min · The Yellow Brick Road
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 400

34 mi · 40 min · US 400
15

Turn left onto US 56; US 283; US 400

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 56; US 283; US 400
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 283; US 400

0.2 mi · 10 sec · US 56; US 283; US 400
17

Turn straight onto US 56; US 400

86 mi · 1 hr 44 min · US 56; US 400
18

Turn right onto West 7th Street

497 ft · 19 sec · West 7th Street
19

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

193 ft · 8 sec · South Jackson Street
20

Arrive at destination

South Jackson 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 125.5 miles from Derby, KS, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.5 miles or 2h 35m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hugoton, 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 251.1 miles and 5h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 56 for about 89.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 125.5 mi from Derby, KS · 2h 35m into the drive

city and the county seat of, Webster County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Dodge, KS

126 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

Harper, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Dodge, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.5 miles from Derby, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 56 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.2 miles.

Arriving in Hugoton, KS

The final approach into Hugoton, 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 Hugoton, KS.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Jet Drive-In

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hugoton, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 251.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16205448726

Visit website

Jet Drive-In

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 251.1

Hugoton, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16205448726

Visit website

Copeland Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 197.3

Copeland, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+16206685563

Prime On The Nine

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 161.4

Dodge City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16202272736

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 17.9

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Long Branch Lagoon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 161.4

Dodge City, Kansas

Hours: Closed

+16202258156

Visit website

Candycane Lane

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 17.9

Wichita, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.26 one way

$78.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.10 $86.20
premium $4.89 $48.32 $96.64
diesel $5.61 $55.44 $110.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.3 0 $26.37 $12.05
Efficient EV 62.8 0 $21.97 $10.04
EV Truck/SUV 100.4 1 $35.15 $16.07

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Derby, KS

Evening in Derby on Friday

Local time

5:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hugoton, KS

Evening in Hugoton on Friday

Local time

5:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

87°F

Fort Dodge, KS

126 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

11 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

5h 8m on the road

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

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 Hugoton, KS covers 251.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 56, Cannonball Stageline, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 125.5 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 $39.26 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (US 54; US 400 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles (US 400): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Derby, KS to Hugoton, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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