Origin
Shawnee, KS
Late night in Shawnee on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shawnee, KS to Fort Dodge, KS
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
330.9 mi
532 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 1m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Dodge, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Shawnee, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 14m 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, KS 156, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.6 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.73 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
165.4 miles from Shawnee, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Shawnee, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 14m, 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 30 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 91.6 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 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 330.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Turn left toward I 435 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 435 North
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
5
10.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
5
196 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shawnee, KS and Fort Dodge, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Ellsworth and Great Bend.
Salina
54 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via I 70
Ellsworth
196 mi in
|
~3h 26m
Great Bend
196 mi in
|
~3h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 91.6 mi | 1h 34m |
| KS 156 | 51.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 49.4 mi | 49m |
| Kansas Turnpike | 44.9 mi | 45m |
| East 10th Street | 29.3 mi | 34m |
| Northeast Trail Street | 24.3 mi | 29m |
| US 56 | 19.3 mi | 23m |
| I 435 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
— 91.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, KS and Fort Dodge, KS.
1
Start on Bond Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Bond Street
2
Turn right onto West 49th Terrace
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
West 49th Terrace
3
Continue on Garnett Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Garnett Street
4
Turn right onto West 51st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 51st Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Quivira Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Quivira Drive
6
Continue on Quivira Lane
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Quivira Lane
7
Turn right
54 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn left onto Holliday Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Holliday Drive
9
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 435 North
10
Merge onto I 435
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 435
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
44 mi
·
44 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 70
92 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Toward I-70 West
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
17
Turn left onto KS 156
48 mi
·
56 min
·
KS 156
18
Take the ramp onto KS 156
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
KS 156
19
Turn left onto US 281
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
20
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
21
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Railroad Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 56; KS 156
19 mi
·
23 min
·
US 56; KS 156
23
Turn left onto US 56
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Broadway Street
24
Turn right onto US 56
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Northeast Trail Street
25
Turn left onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Niles Avenue
26
Turn right onto US 50
29 mi
·
34 min
·
East 10th Street
27
Turn left onto 117 Road
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
117 Road
28
Turn sharp right onto US 400
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 400
29
Turn left
343 ft
·
14 sec
30
Arrive at destination
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 165.4 miles from Shawnee, KS, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.6 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.4 miles or 2h 55m 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
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 Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, KS
This is one driving day of about 330.9 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shawnee, 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 91.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165.4 mi from Shawnee, KS · 2h 55m 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 165.4 miles from Shawnee, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.6 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
$51.73 one way
$103.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $56.80 | $113.60 |
| premium | $4.89 | $63.68 | $127.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.06 | $146.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.25
Kansas Turnpike
(44.9 mi)
$2.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.74 | $15.88 |
| Efficient EV | 82.7 | 0 | $28.95 | $13.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.4 | 1 | $46.33 | $21.18 |
Gas CO2
116 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
Fort Dodge, KS
Late night in Fort Dodge on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Newton, KS
165 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 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
6h 14m 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 Shawnee, KS to Fort Dodge, KS covers 330.9 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, KS 156, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.4 miles from Shawnee, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.73 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 330.9 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Shawnee, KS and Fort Dodge, KS, road signs point toward Salina, Ellsworth and Great Bend.
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