Dodge City, KS to Overland Park, KS is 325.4 miles and takes about 6h 11m via US 50 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kansas, beginning in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for this drive. With a single day recommended, this route is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. It’s a straightforward trip across the state.
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
162.7 miles from Dodge City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
219.2 mi
4h 15m
I 35
97.2 mi
1h 40m
US 56
3.1 mi
3m
East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi
3m
West 87th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Valley View Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Newton Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 219.2 mi, about 4h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~761 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,009
Quietest
2 AM
~68 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Overland Park, 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
2.6 mi·2 min·I 35; US 56; US 169
Toward I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des MoinesUse the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 225Toward 75th Street, 87th Street ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 225AToward 87th Street ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto West 87th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West 87th Street
20
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Santa Fe Drive
21
Turn right onto Newton Street
515 ft·29 sec·Newton Street
22
Turn left onto Valley View Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·Valley View Drive
23
Turn left onto Overland Park Drive
267 ft·15 sec·Overland Park Drive
24
Turn right onto West 81st Street
232 ft·11 sec·West 81st Street
25
Turn right
134 ft·9 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Dodge City in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Overland Park with plenty of daylight. The route is efficient, so you can afford to be flexible with stops. Plan to refuel before you leave Dodge City, as the longest stretch without a major town is significant. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive at a convenient point along US 50 or I 35 for a quick stretch and snack. The $50 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your gauge, especially during the 219.2-mile segment on US 50.
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 162.7 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 3h 9m 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 72 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.7 miles or 3h 9m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Overland Park, 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 325.4 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 152.7 and 322.2 — 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
322 mi into trip|~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward 75th Street, 87th Street 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 225
Toward 75th Street, 87th Street Parkway
9
322.2 mi into trip|~6h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 87th Street Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 225A
Toward 87th Street Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.28 one way
$108.56 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$59.23
$118.45
premium
$5.25
$67.30
$134.59
diesel
$6.28
$80.40
$160.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.6
1
$34.17
$15.62
Efficient EV
81.4
0
$28.47
$13.02
EV Truck/SUV
130.2
1
$45.56
$20.83
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Dodge City, KS
Late night
in Dodge City on Thursday
Local time
4:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
S 12 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Overland Park, KS
Late night
in Overland Park on Thursday
Local time
4:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Peabody, KS
163 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
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
6h 11m 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 drive is 98% highway, meaning you’ll spend almost all of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 219.2 miles on US 50. You'll transition from US 56 to I 35, and the majority of your travel will be on these main arteries. Be prepared for consistent cruising speeds with minimal time on surface streets.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and I 35. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 152.7 miles in near US 50.
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 325.4 miles you will encounter 20 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: 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 ft979 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
1,514 ft
Highest Point
2,492 ft
Elevation Range
1,514 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 Overland Park, KS, road signs point toward Emporia, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka.
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
Overland Park is a city in northeastern Kansas within the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a melting-pot of both urban and suburban living. With 197,000 residents (2020), it is one of the most affluent cities in the U.S.
Top landmarks
•Rio Theatre — movie theater in Overland Park, Kansas, United States
•Campbell Dome House — house in Overland Park, Kansas
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 325.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m 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 Overland Park, 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Overland Park, KS before the return drive.
