Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Fort Dodge, KS to Chetopa, KS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
311.4 mi
501 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 1m
★
6 AM
6h 13m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 22m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Dodge, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Chetopa, KS
Vanessa Ray
Trip Overview
Fort Dodge, KS to Chetopa, KS is 311.4 miles and takes about 6h 13m via US 400, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region of Kansas, offering a straightforward drive. With 92% of the trip on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. Consider this if you need to cover distance across the state without significant detours. The recommended one-day trip makes it a practical option for getting from point A to point B.
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
155.7 miles from Fort Dodge, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 400 | 237.1 mi | 4h 44m |
| US 166 | 27 mi | 32m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 23.7 mi | 27m |
| US 169 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| 11th Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Xavier Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 400
— 237.1 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, KS and Chetopa, KS.
1
Start on this road
343 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 400
237 mi
·
4 hr 44 min
·
US 400
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto US 400
157 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 400
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn right onto US 169
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 166
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 166
9
Turn right onto US 59; US 166
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Xavier Road
10
Continue on US 59; US 166
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Street
11
Turn left
188 ft
·
10 sec
12
Turn right
69 ft
·
5 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 13m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Fort Dodge to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is primarily highway-based, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially for the 237.1-mile stretch on US 400. While the total distance is manageable for a single day, the longest stretch means you'll want to be well-fueled before heading out on US 400. There's only one recommended stop, so pack snacks and drinks to stay comfortable throughout the drive.
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 155.7 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.1 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 69 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 miles or 3h 6m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chetopa, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, KS
This is one driving day of about 311.4 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Fort Dodge, 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 400 for about 237.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from Fort Dodge, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 400 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 311.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 400
Turn right onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
237.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m 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
6
260.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 169
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 169
6
261.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
US 169
Turn right onto US 169
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
311.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.93 one way
$97.86 round trip
$3.99/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.35 | $53.32 | $106.64 |
| premium | $4.71 | $57.79 | $115.59 |
| diesel | $6.08 | $74.53 | $149.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.25 | $12.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.6 | 1 | $43.60 | $19.93 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Fort Dodge, KS
Evening in Fort Dodge on Sunday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
S 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Chetopa, KS
Evening in Chetopa on Sunday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
S 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
3 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 13m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 92% of the 311.4-mile trip utilizing major routes like US 400 and US 166. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 237.1 miles on US 400. Expect a relatively uninterrupted driving experience for the majority of the journey, transitioning to surface roads for the final miles into Chetopa. The profile is mostly highway, indicating minimal time on slower, rural roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.1 mi on US 400.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 400 and US 166. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 400.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 13m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 260.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,464 ft
801 ft
Total Climb
35 ft
Total Descent
1,675 ft
Highest Point
2,464 ft
Elevation Range
1,663 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Dodge, KS
Full guide →Arriving in Chetopa, KS
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 311.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.1 miles on US 400. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chetopa, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (US 400 / Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 260.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chetopa, KS before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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