If you are looking to traverse the Great Plains from Dodge City to Colby, you are in for a straightforward 157.9-mile journey. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 9 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip. Your path utilizes US 83, US 50, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, keeping your transit efficient and direct. With a fuel budget of approximately $24, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two distinct hubs within Kansas.
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
78.9 miles from Dodge City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 83
83.4 mi
1h 35m
US 50
52.2 mi
1h 6m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.8 mi
15m
South Range Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Eagle Eye
1 mi
1m
West Trail Street
0.7 mi
1m
West 3rd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Colby, KS.
1
Start on Central Avenue
33 ft·2 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
0.1 mi·28 sec·West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto North 2nd Avenue
425 ft·11 sec·North 2nd Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto West Trail Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Trail Street
5
Turn right onto North 14th Avenue
515 ft·17 sec·North 14th Avenue
6
Turn left onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
1.8 mi·3 min·West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
7
Continue on US 50
47 mi·59 min·US 50
8
Take the exit onto US 50; US 400
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 50; US 400
9
Merge onto US 50; US 83; US 400
4.7 mi·6 min·US 50; US 83; US 400
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 83
Toward US 83 North, US 50 Business, US 83 Business, Garden City, Scott City
11
Turn right onto US 83
78 mi·1 hr 28 min·US 83
12
Turn left onto US 40; US 83
1.0 mi·1 min·Eagle Eye
13
Turn right onto US 83
4.9 mi·5 min·US 83
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 70 West, Denver
15
Merge onto I 70
16 mi·15 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward KS 25, Atwood, Leoti
17
Turn right onto KS 25
2.1 mi·4 min·South Range Avenue
18
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·West 3rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For the most relaxed experience, plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour journey. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or early afternoon without worrying about losing daylight. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $24 estimate is a good baseline for your planning. Given the long stretches of highway, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds. A smart strategy is to utilize your single planned stop to stretch your legs during the transition between the Eisenhower Highway and US 83 to keep your focus sharp for the duration of the trip.
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 78.9 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colby, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dodge 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 Dodge City, KS
This is one driving day of about 157.9 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Dodge 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 US 83 for about 83.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Turn right onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto North 2nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|US 50; US 83; US 400
Merge onto US 50; US 83; US 400
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
55.1 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 50 Business, US 83 Business, Garden City, Scott City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83 North, US 50 Business, US 83 Busin...
6
139.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, Denver
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.69 one way
$49.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.10
$54.21
premium
$4.89
$30.39
$60.77
diesel
$5.61
$34.86
$69.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.4
0
$16.58
$7.58
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.82
$6.32
EV Truck/SUV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Dodge City, KS
Late night
in Dodge City on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 10 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:08PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 14 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Destination
Colby, KS
Late night
in Colby on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:08PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 8:52PM CDT until April 14 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.4 miles on US 83. The terrain maintains a steady character as you travel across the plains, offering a predictable experience behind the wheel. Because you are primarily sticking to major thoroughfares, you can expect a smooth ride without technical maneuvers or winding local roads. It is the kind of drive where you can settle into a steady cruising speed and enjoy the open horizon.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 83 and US 50. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Wyatt Earp Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.9 miles you will encounter 16 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 (West Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (US 50; US 83; US 400): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
3,158 ft2,494 ft
Total Climb
891 ft
Total Descent
227 ft
Highest Point
3,158 ft
~157.9 mi in
Elevation Range
664 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dodge City, KS and Colby, KS, road signs point toward Garden City, Scott City and Denver.
Garden City
55.1 mi in|~1h 11m|via US 83
Scott City
55.1 mi in|~1h 11m|via US 83
Denver
139.5 mi in|~2h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 157.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 miles on US 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Colby, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (US 50; US 83; US 400): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Colby, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
