Origin
Ulysses, KS
Evening in Ulysses on Sunday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ulysses, KS to Dodge City, KS
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
78.9 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dodge City, KS
Tolga Ahmetler
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ulysses to Dodge City covers 78.9 miles across the Great Plains, making for a straightforward journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget roughly $12 for fuel to complete the trek. The route primarily utilizes US 56, East Oklahoma Avenue, and KS 144 to navigate between these two Kansas hubs. It is a practical, efficient connection for those looking to cross the plains without unnecessary complications or lengthy travel times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving steadily through the Kansas landscape. With a highway share of 62 percent, the road favors consistent speeds over technical maneuvers or local stop-and-go traffic. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.5 miles on US 56, which defines the core personality of the journey. The transition between these roads creates a predictable pace, allowing you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel. It is a functional path that prioritizes direct transit across the region rather than winding, scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 56 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 56 and East Oklahoma Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Grant Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (East Grant Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Grant Avenue
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Missouri Street
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue
Turn left onto US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Turn right onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 56 | 32.5 mi | 39m |
| East Oklahoma Avenue | 27 mi | 35m |
| KS 144 | 16.6 mi | 29m |
| South 2nd Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Missouri Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Wyatt Earp Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Grant Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 56
— 32.5 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ulysses, KS and Dodge City, KS.
1
Start on North Court Street
226 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Court Street
2
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
302 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Grant Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Missouri Street
4
Turn left onto US 160
27 mi
·
35 min
·
East Oklahoma Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on KS 144
17 mi
·
29 min
·
KS 144
Use the none lane.
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 56
33 mi
·
39 min
·
US 56
7
Keep straight at fork
316 ft
·
4 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
215 ft
·
2 sec
9
Turn straight onto South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South 2nd Avenue
10
Turn right onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto Central Avenue
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
Central Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the trip is short, it is wise to top off your tank in Ulysses before you head out, given the $12 estimated fuel cost for the 78.9-mile span. Keep an eye on your speedometer during the transition between highways, as road types shift from major routes like US 56 to local segments like East Oklahoma Avenue. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by choosing your own pace for breaks. If you prefer a relaxed morning, you can easily reach your destination by lunch without feeling rushed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.5 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 78.9 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dodge City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ulysses, 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 Ulysses, KS
This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ulysses, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 56 for about 32.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Ulysses, KS · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dodge City, KS
The final approach into Dodge City, 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 Dodge City, 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
$11.98 one way
$23.97 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.21 | $26.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.89 | $29.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.53 | $35.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.28 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.05 | $5.05 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Dodge City, KS
Evening in Dodge City on Sunday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
4 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
1h 49m 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 Ulysses, KS to Dodge City, KS covers 78.9 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 56, East Oklahoma Avenue, KS 144. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.98 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (East Grant Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ulysses, KS to Dodge City, KS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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