Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
324.5 mi
522 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Baker, KS covers 324.5 miles and takes about 6h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 117 Road, Niles Avenue, East 14th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.29 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
162.2 miles from Fort Dodge, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 15m drive with frequent turns across 324.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 15m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Baker, KS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 117 Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Niles Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 14th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Railroad Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 10th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, KS and Baker, KS.
Start on the route
Turn right
Turn sharp left onto 117 Road
Turn right
Turn left onto Niles Avenue
Turn right
Turn right onto East 14th Street
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
Keep slight left to continue on Railroad Avenue
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto 10th Street
Turn left
Take the ramp right toward I-70 East, Salina
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Take the exit slight right toward US 75 North: Gage Boulevard, Holton
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: Holton
Turn straight onto 244th Lane
Continue on Q Road
Turn right onto 110th Street
Turn left onto Kestrel Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 162.2 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baker, KS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, KS
This is one driving day of about 324.5 miles and 6h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.2 mi from Fort Dodge, KS · 3h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 162.2 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Baker, 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 Baker, KS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.29 one way
$98.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.33 | $108.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.26 | $122.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.09 | $144.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.07 | $15.58 |
| Efficient EV | 81.1 | 0 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.8 | 1 | $45.43 | $20.77 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Fort Dodge on Saturday
Local time
6:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Baker on Saturday
Local time
6:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Salina, KS
162 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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