Trip from Fort Dodge, KS to Lecompton, KS

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

290.4 mi

467 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 16m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 39m

12 PM

5h 36m

3 PM

5h 41m

5 PM

5h 55m

8 PM

5h 22m

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

Fort Dodge, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Lecompton, KS

Tien Nguyen

Trip Overview

The drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Lecompton, KS covers 290.4 miles and takes about 5h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, KS 156 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.6 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.40 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

145.2 miles from Fort Dodge, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Fort Dodge, KS to Lecompton, KS covers 290.4 miles and takes about 5h 29m, 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 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 81.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near 117 Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 290.4 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (117 Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 82 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 134.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | 117 Road

Turn sharp left onto 117 Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

82 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | Washington Street

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

134.6 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in

Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-70 East, Salina

267.1 mi into trip | ~5h in | US 75

Keep slight left at fork onto US 75 toward US 75 North: Holton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 75 North: Holton

268.5 mi into trip | ~5h 2m in

Take the exit toward US 24 East: Lawrence

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 24 East: Lawrence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Fort Dodge, KS and Lecompton, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Holton.

Salina

134.6 mi in | ~2h 46m

Holton

266.9 mi in | ~4h 59m | via US 75

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	81.6 mi	1h 22m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	50.5 mi	50m
KS 156	47.9 mi	55m
US 50	29.3 mi	34m
US 56	25.1 mi	30m
East 14th Street	19.3 mi	23m
US 24	18.5 mi	21m
117 Road	3.9 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway — 81.6 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, KS and Lecompton, KS.

Start on this road

343 ft · 18 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 400

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 400

Turn sharp left onto 117 Road

3.9 mi · 6 min · 117 Road

Turn right onto US 50; US 56

29 mi · 34 min · US 50; US 56

Turn left onto US 183

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Niles Avenue

Turn right onto US 56; US 183

25 mi · 30 min · US 56; US 183

Turn right onto US 56; KS 156

19 mi · 23 min · East 14th Street

Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · Railroad Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

150 ft · 4 sec · Washington Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Railroad Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto US 281

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto US 56; KS 96; KS 156

3.8 mi · 5 min · 10th Street

Turn left onto KS 156

48 mi · 55 min · KS 156

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward I-70 East, Salina

Merge onto I 70; US 40

49 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

75 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

6.9 mi · 7 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Take the exit onto US 75

0.2 mi · 23 sec · US 75

Toward US 75 North: Gage Boulevard, Holton

Keep slight left at fork onto US 75

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 75

Toward US 75 North: Holton Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 24 East: Lawrence Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 24

18 mi · 21 min · US 24

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Lecompton Road

2.3 mi · 3 min · Lecompton Road

Continue on CR-1029

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Eisenhower Memorial Drive

Turn right onto CR-3

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Woodson Avenue

Turn right onto Elmore Street

144 ft · 6 sec · Elmore Street

Arrive at destination

Elmore 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 145.2 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, or about 2h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.6 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.2 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lecompton, 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 290.4 miles and 5h 29m.

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 Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 81.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145.2 mi from Fort Dodge, KS · 2h 57m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Salina, KS

145 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.

Popular next leg

Salina, KS to Lecompton, KS

131 mi · 2h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Lincoln, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lincoln, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.2 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.6 miles.

Arriving in Lecompton, KS

The final approach into Lecompton, 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 Lecompton, KS.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 270.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.40 one way

$90.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$49.85	$99.70
premium	$4.89	$55.88	$111.77
diesel	$5.61	$64.12	$128.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.1	1	$30.49	$13.94
Efficient EV	72.6	0	$25.41	$11.62
EV Truck/SUV	116.2	1	$40.66	$18.59

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Fort Dodge, KS

Night in Fort Dodge on Tuesday

Local time

9:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lecompton, KS

Night in Lecompton on Tuesday

Local time

9:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

16 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 29m 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 Fort Dodge, KS to Lecompton, KS covers 290.4 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, KS 156. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145.2 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 $45.40 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.

Between Fort Dodge, KS and Lecompton, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Holton.

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