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Trip from Dodge City, KS to Chanute, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 23m

Distance

278.4 mi

448 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 10m ★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 16m

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 and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States

Dodge City, KS

Wikimedia Commons

city in Neosho County, Kansas, United States of America

Chanute, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dodge City, KS to Chanute, KS covers 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 50, US 54, KS 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.7 miles on US 50. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.52 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

139.2 miles from Dodge City, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 50 113.7 mi 2h 10m
US 54 60.2 mi 1h 8m
KS 14 41.9 mi 46m
KS 254 29.7 mi 36m
South Fry Street 12.8 mi 15m
KS 39 11 mi 13m
US 56 3.1 mi 3m
US 75 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 50 — 113.7 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Chanute, KS.

1

Start on Central Avenue

33 ft · 0 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on US 56; US 283

3.1 mi · 3 min · US 56; US 283
4

Turn right onto US 50; US 56; US 283

68 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US 50; US 56; US 283
5

Enter roundabout onto US 50

162 ft · 2 sec · US 50
6

Continue on US 50

45 mi · 51 min · US 50
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward KS 96
8

Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96

42 mi · 46 min · KS 14; KS 96
Toward Wichita Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on KS 254

30 mi · 36 min · KS 254
Toward KS 254, El Dorado Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Continue on US 54

60 mi · 1 hr 8 min · US 54
11

Turn right onto US 75

13 mi · 15 min · South Fry Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12

Continue on US 75

0.1 mi · 8 sec · US 75
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on US 75

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 75
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto KS 39

5.3 mi · 6 min · KS 39
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on KS 39

2.6 mi · 2 min · KS 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Continue on KS 39

3.2 mi · 4 min · KS 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17

Turn right onto North Plummer Avenue

0.5 mi · 55 sec · North Plummer Avenue
18

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
19

Turn right onto South Steuben Avenue

0.2 mi · 40 sec · South Steuben Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

South Steuben Avenue

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 139.2 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.2 miles or 2h 40m 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 23m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dodge City, 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 Dodge City, KS

This is one driving day of about 278.4 miles and 5h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Dodge City, 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 50 for about 113.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita, KS

139 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

Great Bend, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haven, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Dodge City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.7 miles.

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

Java Junction

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chanute, Kansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 278.4

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+16207784633

Visit website

The Grain Bin Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chanute, Kansas

0.5 mi

Little China Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chanute, Kansas

0.2 mi

Java Junction

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+16207784633

Visit website

The Grain Bin Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16204317373

Little China Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16204316565

Visit website

El Rincon Azteca Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16209025092

The Hangout

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16204310025

El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.4

Chanute, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16204316006

Prime On The Nine

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Dodge City, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16202272736

Visit website

Tom’s Kountry Kitchen

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.8

Kinsley, Kansas

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16206593299

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 179

El Dorado, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 159.1

Wichita, KS

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Long Branch Lagoon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dodge City, Kansas

Hours: Closed

+16202258156

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 266 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Wyatt Earp Boulevard

Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
73.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | US 50

Enter roundabout onto US 50

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
119.1 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | KS 14; KS 96

Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96 toward Wichita

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Wichita
6
250.8 mi into trip | ~4h 49m in | US 75 / South Fry Street

Turn right onto US 75 / South Fry Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
266 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in | KS 39

Turn left onto KS 39

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.52 one way

$87.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.79 $95.58
premium $4.89 $53.58 $107.15
diesel $5.61 $61.47 $122.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Towanda Service Area - Tesla Supercharger

El Dorado, KS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wichita, KS

Wichita, KS

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Lewis Chevrolet of Dodge City - DCFC

Dodge City, KS

Blink Network

2 DCFC

Roots Coffee Company

Hutchinson, KS

Blink Network

2 DCFC

HATCHETT FRONT LOT

Wichita, KS

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

EVERGY @WSU YMCA-441A

Wichita, KS

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

EVERGY @KTA SVC -404A

El Dorado OCL, KS

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

EVERGY @KTA SVC -404B

El Dorado, KS

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 4 Blink Network: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 Tesla: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.5 1 $29.23 $13.36
Efficient EV 69.6 0 $24.36 $11.14
EV Truck/SUV 111.4 1 $38.98 $17.82

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Dodge City, KS

Afternoon in Dodge City on Saturday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Sunny

NW 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Chanute, KS

Afternoon in Chanute on Saturday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

10 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

5h 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

278.4 mi in 5h 23m, mostly highway — 113.7 mi of that is on US 50.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.7 mi on US 50.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and US 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Wyatt Earp Boulevard.

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 23m 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: near the start (East Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles (US 50): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 119.1 miles (KS 14; KS 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dodge City, KS and Chanute, KS, road signs point toward Wichita and El Dorado.

Wichita

119.1 mi in | ~2h 18m | via KS 14; KS 96

El Dorado

161 mi in | ~3h 4m | via KS 254

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 113.7 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles (US 50): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 119.1 miles (KS 14; KS 96): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chanute, KS before the return drive.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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