Dodge City, KS to Mission Hills, KS is 330.1 miles and takes about 6h 17m via US 50 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kansas, crossing the Great Plains from west to east. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to cover ground across the state with minimal fuss. It's a solid option for a single-day transit.
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 miles from Dodge City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
219.2 mi
4h 15m
I 35
100.8 mi
1h 44m
US 56
3.3 mi
3m
Shawnee Mission Parkway
2.2 mi
3m
East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
West 63rd Street
1.6 mi
4m
Verona Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Nall Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 219.2 mi, about 4h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~751 veh/hr typical
· worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Mission Hills, 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
79 mi·1 hr 31 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
2.7 mi·2 min·US 50
Toward I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, EmporiaUse the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 50
26 mi·31 min·US 50
Exit 33Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
9
Enter roundabout onto US 50
213 ft·9 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
10
Continue on US 50
43 mi·50 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Emporia
11
Enter roundabout
364 ft·4 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
12
Continue
0.2 mi·10 sec
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
13
Enter roundabout
30 ft·0 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
14
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35 North: Kansas City
15
Merge onto I 35
95 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 35
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35; US 56; US 169
3.6 mi·4 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
17
Merge onto I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
2.7 mi·3 min·I 35; US 56; US 69; US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 56; US 69; US 169
Exit 228BToward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 69; US 169
216 ft·4 sec·US 56; US 69; US 169
Toward US 56, US 69, US 169: Shawnee Mission ParkwayUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto US 56; US 69; US 169
1.3 mi·2 min·Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 56; US 169
1.0 mi·1 min·Shawnee Mission Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Nall Avenue
375 ft·15 sec·Nall Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 63rd Street
1.6 mi·4 min·West 63rd Street
24
Turn left onto Verona Road
0.2 mi·56 sec·Verona Road
25
Arrive at destination
Verona Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 17m estimated drive time, leaving Dodge City in the morning should allow you to reach Mission Hills well before dark. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, it's good to know your approximate budget. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the 219.2-mile stretch on US 50, as services might be more spread out in some sections before you merge onto I 35.
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 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.2 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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165 miles or 3h 12m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mission Hills, 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 330.1 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 219.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 152.7 and 325.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
152.7 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Salina, Emporia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 135 North, US 50 East, US 81 North: Sa...
6
155.4 mi into trip|~3h in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 33
Toward US 50: Peabody, Emporia
6
224.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Enter roundabout toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka
8
325.7 mi into trip|~6h 7m in|US 56; US 69; US 169
Take the exit onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: Shawnee Mission Parkway
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 228B
Toward US 56 East, US 69 North, US 169 North: S...
9
325.9 mi into trip|~6h 8m in|US 56; US 69; US 169
Keep slight right at fork onto US 56; US 69; US 169 toward US 56, US 69, US 169: Shawnee Mission Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 56, US 69, US 169: Shawnee Mission Pa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.88 one way
$109.76 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$59.78
$119.56
premium
$5.18
$67.36
$134.72
diesel
$5.35
$69.53
$139.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99
1
$34.66
$15.84
Efficient EV
82.5
0
$28.88
$13.20
EV Truck/SUV
132
1
$46.21
$21.13
Gas CO2
115 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.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Dodge City, KS
Afternoon
in Dodge City on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 10:17AM CDT until June 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Mission Hills, KS
Afternoon
in Mission Hills on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
E 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 10:17AM CDT until June 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
87°F
Peabody, 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
2 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 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 99% highway, meaning you’ll be on major roads for nearly the entire 330.1 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 219.2 miles on US 50. You'll transition from US 50 onto I 35, and the majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed corridors. Expect a steady flow of traffic and relatively frequent exits as you approach your destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.2 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 152.7 miles in near US 50.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 330.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 152.7 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.4 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,492 ft894 ft
Total Climb
190 ft
Total Descent
1,744 ft
Highest Point
2,492 ft
Elevation Range
1,598 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 Mission Hills, KS, road signs point toward Emporia, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
Emporia
152.7 mi in|~2h 57m|via US 50
Kansas City
224.4 mi in|~4h 22m
Wichita
224.4 mi in|~4h 22m
Topeka
224.4 mi in|~4h 22m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 330.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.2 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Mission Hills, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.7 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.4 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mission Hills, KS before the return drive.
