Origin
Leawood, KS
Evening in Leawood on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leawood, KS to Dodge City, KS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 17m
Distance
330 mi
531 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 5m
★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leawood, KS
Спиридон Варфаламеев
Dodge City, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leawood, KS to Dodge City, KS is 330 miles and takes about 6h 17m via US 50, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kansas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's best suited for a single day of travel. Given the duration and the ~98% highway share, you'll want to be prepared for a significant amount of time on the road. Plan for a consistent pace to reach your destination efficiently.
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 Leawood, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 314.9 mi | 5h 55m |
| I 435 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| US 56 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Wyatt Earp Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| State Line Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Lee Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 95th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 90th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 314.9 mi, about 5h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leawood, KS and Dodge City, KS.
1
Start on West 90th Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
West 90th Street
2
Turn right onto Lee Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lee Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West 95th Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
West 95th Street
4
Turn right onto State Line Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Line Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
6
Merge onto I 435; US 50
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 435; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 50
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 50
Exit 83
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
95 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US 50
Toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
10
Enter roundabout
433 ft
·
5 sec
11
Continue
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
12
Enter roundabout onto US 50
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 50
13
Continue on US 50
43 mi
·
50 min
·
US 50
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 50
197 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
15
Continue on US 50
25 mi
·
30 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 50
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
17
Take the exit onto US 50
40 mi
·
47 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50, KS 15: Hutchinson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 50
19
Enter roundabout onto US 50
176 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 50
20
Continue on US 50
68 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
US 50
21
Turn left onto US 56; US 283
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 56; US 283
22
Continue on East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Central Avenue
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
Central Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
With a 6h 17m estimated drive time and a single recommended day, starting your journey in Leawood, KS early in the morning is your best bet. This allows you to reach Dodge City, KS with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the 330-mile distance, you'll want to make at least one planned stop for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 300 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Dodge City, as services can be more spread out on this stretch of 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 165 miles from Leawood, KS, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 314.9 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165 miles or 3h 5m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dodge City, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leawood, 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 Leawood, KS
This is one driving day of about 330 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Leawood, 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 314.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 165 miles from Leawood, 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 314.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 177 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 435; US 50
Merge onto I 435; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
9.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita, Des Moines
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 83
Toward I 35, US 50 West, US 56, US 169: Wichita...
8
10 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 50 West, US 56 West, US 1...
6
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
US 50
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 135 South, US 81 South, US 50 West: Wi...
7
177 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50, KS 15: Hutchinson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50, KS 15: Hutchinson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.59 one way
$103.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $56.65 | $113.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $63.51 | $127.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.86 | $145.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99 | 1 | $34.65 | $15.84 |
| Efficient EV | 82.5 | 0 | $28.87 | $13.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132 | 1 | $46.20 | $21.12 |
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.
Destination
Dodge City, KS
Evening in Dodge City on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°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
29 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 330 miles, with US 50 being your primary companion for the longest stretch. You'll encounter about 98% highway driving, meaning you'll mostly be on high-speed roads designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 314.9 miles on US 50. This route offers a consistent driving experience, largely characterized by open roads as you move through the Great Plains.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 314.9 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and I 435. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 435; US 50.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 330 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 2.7 miles (I 435; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Leawood, KS to Dodge City, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Newton along the way.
Newton
105.1 mi in
|
~1h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 330 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 314.9 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Dodge City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 435; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Dodge City, 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 EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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