Dodge City to Parsons is 281.2 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway, and Cannonball Stageline, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, crossing Kansas entirely on surface roads. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal highway time, making it a good option if you prefer a more grounded pace. The relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost mean you can easily complete this trip in a single day.
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
140.6 miles from Dodge City, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
61.9 mi
1h 11m
Cannonball Stageline
60.2 mi
1h 8m
East Trail Street
41.9 mi
50m
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
33.8 mi
38m
24000 Road
3.2 mi
5m
West 1st Street
3.1 mi
6m
D Avenue
2.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 68.2 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City, KS and Parsons, KS.
1
Start on Central Avenue
33 ft·0 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.0 mi·3 min·East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 56; US 283
0.5 mi·1 min·US 56; US 283
4
Turn left onto US 400
42 mi·50 min·East Trail Street
5
Continue on US 54; US 400
1.3 mi·2 min·West Kansas Avenue
6
Continue on US 54; US 400
29 mi·33 min·Cannonball Stageline
7
Continue on US 54; US 400
3.1 mi·6 min·West 1st Street
8
Continue on US 54; US 400
31 mi·35 min·Cannonball Stageline
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 54; US 400
2.4 mi·5 min·D Avenue
10
Continue on US 54; US 400; KS 14
61 mi·1 hr 12 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 54; US 400
0.7 mi·1 min·West 7th Avenue
12
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.0 mi·8 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 400
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft·2 sec·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 400
34 mi·38 min·Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto 24000 Road
3.2 mi·5 min·24000 Road
17
Continue on Main Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 40m estimated drive time, departing Dodge City in the morning will comfortably get you to Parsons before evening. With only one recommended stop and no highway segments, you have flexibility in pacing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, as surface roads can sometimes mean less frequent gas stations. The longest stretch without a significant town is 68.2 miles, so plan accordingly before you begin that segment.
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 140.6 miles from Dodge City, KS, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.2 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parsons, 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 281.2 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 68.2 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 276 — 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.
3
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|US 400 / East Trail Street
Turn left onto US 400 / East Trail Street
Navigation decision point
4
242.2 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
242.2 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Straight onto US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
276 mi into trip|~5h 30m in|24000 Road
Turn right onto 24000 Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.75 one way
$93.50 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$50.93
$101.85
premium
$5.18
$57.38
$114.76
diesel
$5.35
$59.23
$118.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
EV Truck/SUV
112.5
1
$39.37
$18.00
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 1, 2026
Origin
Dodge City, KS
Afternoon
in Dodge City on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Parsons, KS
Afternoon
in Parsons on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 6 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
89°F
Cheney, KS
141 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
9 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
5h 40m 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?
This route is almost entirely surface roads, with no highway driving. You'll encounter the longest unbroken stretch at 68.2 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The primary roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway, and Cannonball Stageline. Drivers will notice a consistent pace as you navigate through rural Kansas.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.2 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 40m drive. You will face about 5 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 2.5 miles (US 400 / East Trail Street): Navigation decision point; at 242.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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
The longest stretch is about 68.2 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wyatt Earp Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (US 400 / East Trail Street): Navigation decision point; at 242.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Parsons, KS before the return drive.
