Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
246.8 mi
397 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dodge City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, KS
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Madison, KS.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Continue on US 56; US 283
Turn right onto US 50; US 56; US 283
Enter roundabout onto US 50
Continue on US 50
Take the exit
Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96
Continue on KS 254
Continue on US 54
Turn left onto KS 99
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 249
Turn right onto KS 58
Turn right onto 3rd Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 123.4 miles from Dodge City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 50
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward KS 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto KS 14; KS 96 toward Wichita
Lane positioning matters here
Continue onto KS 254 toward KS 254, El Dorado
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$38.26 one way
$76.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $41.96 | $83.91 |
| premium | $4.93 | $47.88 | $95.77 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $54.40 | $108.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dodge City on Wednesday
Local time
12:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
12:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
78 ft
Total Descent
1,476 ft
Highest Point
2,492 ft
Elevation Range
1,439 ft
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.
Wichita
El Dorado
Founded 1872
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
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 246.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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