Dodge City, KS to Madison, KS is 246.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m via US 50 and KS 14, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region of Kansas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With nearly all of the trip on highways, it’s a direct path for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of driving, keeping your fuel costs predictable and your travel time minimal. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
123.4 miles from Dodge City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
113.7 mi
2h 10m
KS 14
41.9 mi
46m
US 54
35.2 mi
40m
KS 254
29.7 mi
36m
KS 99
20.2 mi
35m
US 56
3.1 mi
3m
East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
Southwest Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Madison, KS.
1
Start on Central Avenue
33 ft·0 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi·3 min·East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 56; US 283
3.1 mi·3 min·US 56; US 283
4
Turn right onto US 50; US 56; US 283
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 50; US 56; US 283
5
Enter roundabout onto US 50
162 ft·2 sec·US 50
6
Continue on US 50
45 mi·51 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward KS 96
8
Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96
42 mi·46 min·KS 14; KS 96
Toward WichitaUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on KS 254
30 mi·36 min·KS 254
Toward KS 254, El DoradoUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on US 54
35 mi·40 min·US 54
11
Turn left onto KS 99
20 mi·35 min·KS 99
12
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 249
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest Boulevard
13
Turn right onto KS 58
419 ft·10 sec·West Lincoln Street
14
Turn right onto 3rd Street
71 ft·3 sec·3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 58m drive time, starting in the morning from Dodge City will allow you to reach Madison comfortably within daylight hours. The route is primarily highway, so you won't need to worry about slow-downs on rural roads until the very end. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, it's wise to fill up before leaving Dodge City, as stops are limited to one planned point. The longest stretch of 113.7 miles on US 50 means you can settle in for a solid driving period before needing to stretch your legs.
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 123.4 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 246.8 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 50 for about 113.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
73.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|US 50
Enter roundabout onto US 50
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward KS 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward KS 96
6
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|KS 14; KS 96
Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96 toward Wichita
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Wichita
4
161 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|KS 254
Continue onto KS 254 toward KS 254, El Dorado
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward KS 254, El Dorado
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.88 one way
$77.75 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$42.46
$84.92
premium
$4.73
$45.93
$91.86
diesel
$6.06
$58.89
$117.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.80
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Dodge City, KS
Morning
in Dodge City on Saturday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
N 16 to 25 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:58AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Destination
Madison, KS
Morning
in Madison on Saturday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny
NNW 20 to 28 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:58AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM 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
1 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
4h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all your time on highways, with a 99% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 113.7 miles on US 50. This means you'll be doing a lot of straightforward cruising for extended periods. Expect minimal time on surface roads as you transition from US 50 to KS 14 and then US 54.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.7 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and KS 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Wyatt Earp Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 58m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles (US 50): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 118.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,492 ft1,053 ft
Total Climb
78 ft
Total Descent
1,476 ft
Highest Point
2,492 ft
Elevation Range
1,439 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 Madison, KS, road signs point toward Wichita and El Dorado.
Dodge City is a town of 27,000 people (2019) in the Western region of Kansas. In and around the city, there are historical sites, museums, and landmarks dedicated to Dodge City's Old West heritage.
Top landmarks
•Sacred Heart Cathedral — former cathedral church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
•Dodge City station — train station in Dodge City, Kansas, US
•Dodge City Public Library building — building in the USA
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
The longest stretch is about 113.7 miles on US 50. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles (US 50): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 118.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Madison, KS, but most travelers stay overnight.
