Origin
Erie, KS
Night in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, KS to Fort Dodge, KS
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
5h 41m
Distance
269.8 mi
434 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Dodge, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Erie, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 269.8 miles and takes about 5h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, Cannonball Stageline for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68.5 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.18 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
134.9 miles from Erie, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 41m drive with frequent turns across 269.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 68.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 4th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 41m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (KS 47 / 110th Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
KS 47 / 110th Road
Turn right onto KS 47 / 110th Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
32.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
238.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
|
US 400
Keep slight right at fork onto US 400
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
269.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 68.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Cannonball Stageline | 60.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 400 | 31.1 mi | 37m |
| 110th Road | 29.2 mi | 51m |
| The Yellow Brick Road | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| East 1st Street | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| Pratt Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 68.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, KS and Fort Dodge, KS.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Pratt Road
4
Turn right onto KS 47
29 mi
·
51 min
·
110th Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 400
46 ft
·
0 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 400
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Avenue
9
Continue on US 54; US 400
61 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
D Avenue
11
Continue on US 54; US 400
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 54; US 400
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
East 1st Street
13
Continue on US 54; US 400
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Cannonball Stageline
14
Continue on US 54; US 400
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kansas Avenue
15
Continue on US 54; US 400
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
The Yellow Brick Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 400
31 mi
·
37 min
·
US 400
17
Turn left
343 ft
·
14 sec
18
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 134.9 miles from Erie, KS, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.5 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.9 miles or 2h 57m 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 43m
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 Erie, 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 Erie, KS
This is one driving day of about 269.8 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 68.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.9 mi from Erie, KS · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 134.9 miles from Erie, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.5 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
$42.18 one way
$84.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.31 | $92.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.92 | $103.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.57 | $119.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.33 | $12.95 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.61 | $10.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.9 | 1 | $37.77 | $17.27 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Fort Dodge, KS
Night in Fort Dodge on Tuesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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 41m 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 Erie, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 269.8 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, Cannonball Stageline. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.9 miles from Erie, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.18 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 41m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (KS 47 / 110th Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Erie, KS to Fort Dodge, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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