Origin
Hill City, KS
Late night in Hill City on Saturday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
117.2 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hill City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Dodge, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 117.2 miles and takes about 2h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Pennsylvania Avenue, South 1st Street, South 4th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.4 miles on North Pennsylvania Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.32 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.6 miles from Hill City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 53m drive with frequent turns across 117.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Pennsylvania Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 51.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
2,495 ft
2,162 ft
Total Climb
992 ft
Total Descent
714 ft
Highest Point
2,495 ft
~108.8 mi in
Elevation Range
333 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 24 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is easy. At 2h 53m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 24 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles (US 283; US 40 Bus / Barclay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles (US 283; US 40 Bus / South 1st Street): 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.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 24 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 24 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
24.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 283; US 40 Bus / Barclay Avenue
Turn right onto US 283; US 40 Bus / Barclay Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
25.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 283; US 40 Bus / South 1st Street
Turn left onto US 283; US 40 Bus / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
115.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
US 400
Turn sharp right onto US 400
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Pennsylvania Avenue | 51.4 mi | 1h 14m |
| South 1st Street | 38.7 mi | 57m |
| South 4th Avenue | 24 mi | 35m |
| US 400 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Barclay Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Pomeroy Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Pennsylvania Avenue
— 51.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hill City, KS and Fort Dodge, KS.
1
Start on North Pomeroy Avenue
61 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Pomeroy Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 24
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 283
24 mi
·
35 min
·
South 4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 283; US 40 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Barclay Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 283; US 40 Bus
39 mi
·
57 min
·
South 1st Street
6
Continue on US 283
51 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
North Pennsylvania Avenue
7
Turn sharp right onto US 400
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 400
8
Turn left
343 ft
·
14 sec
9
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Hill City, KS, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 26 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
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 Hill 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 Hill City, KS
This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hill 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 North Pennsylvania Avenue for about 51.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Hill City, KS · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Hill City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$18.32 one way
$36.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.12 | $40.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.55 | $45.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.88 | $51.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.31 | $5.63 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.41 | $7.50 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night in Fort Dodge on Saturday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°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
36 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
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 117.2 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Pennsylvania Avenue, South 1st Street, South 4th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Hill City, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS is easy. At 2h 53m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 24 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles (US 283; US 40 Bus / Barclay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles (US 283; US 40 Bus / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hill City, KS to Fort Dodge, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 2,162 ft to 2,495 ft elevation with about 992 ft of total climbing.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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