Origin
Fort Dodge, KS
Morning in Fort Dodge on Monday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Dodge, KS to Baxter Springs, KS
Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
330.1 mi
531 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 22m
★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 43m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Dodge, KS
Shea B
Baxter Springs, KS
Alexis Cruz
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Baxter Springs, KS covers 330.1 miles and takes about 6h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 400, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, US 69 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 237.1 miles on US 400. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.14 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
165 miles from Fort Dodge, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 34m highway drive covering 330.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 400 and Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 237.1 miles on US 400.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 400 is the longest continuous segment at about 237.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 400 and Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 400.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 34m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 307.7 miles (US 69; US 160; US 400): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 400
Turn right onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
237.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m 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
307.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 6m in
|
US 69; US 160; US 400
Turn right onto US 69; US 160; US 400
Navigation decision point
4
326.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
|
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
Enter roundabout onto US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
330.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 34m in
|
US 166 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto US 166 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 400 | 237.1 mi | 4h 44m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 70.6 mi | 1h 22m |
| US 69 | 11 mi | 12m |
| US 69 Alternate | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| US Historic 66 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West 12th Street | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
US 400
— 237.1 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, KS and Baxter Springs, KS.
1
Start on this road
343 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 400
237 mi
·
4 hr 44 min
·
US 400
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 400
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 69; US 160; US 400
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 69; US 160; US 400
6
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US 400
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US 400
7
Enter roundabout onto US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
8
Continue on US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Historic 66; US 69 Alternate; US 400; KS 66
9
Continue on US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69 Alternate; US Historic 66; KS 66
10
Turn right onto US 166
50 ft
·
0 sec
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
US 166
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.1 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165 miles or 3h 18m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter Springs, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 330.1 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Dodge, 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 400 for about 237.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165 mi from Fort Dodge, KS · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 165 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 400 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.1 miles.
Arriving in Baxter Springs, KS
The final approach into Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.14 one way
$100.28 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.27 | $110.54 |
| premium | $4.80 | $62.32 | $124.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $73.34 | $146.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99 | 1 | $34.66 | $15.84 |
| Efficient EV | 82.5 | 0 | $28.88 | $13.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132 | 1 | $46.21 | $21.13 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Baxter Springs, KS
Morning in Baxter Springs on Monday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
7 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
6h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Baxter Springs, KS covers 330.1 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 400, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165 miles from Fort Dodge, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 34m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 307.7 miles (US 69; US 160; US 400): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Dodge, KS to Baxter Springs, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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