Origin
Louisburg, KS
Evening in Louisburg on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisburg, KS to Fort Dodge, 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 13m
Distance
313.3 mi
504 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.
Louisburg, KS
Mykhailo Volkov
Fort Dodge, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This drive from Louisburg, KS, to Fort Dodge, KS, covers 313.1 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. It's a convenient one-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $48. You'll primarily navigate local roads, as this route has no highway mileage. The journey takes you across the Great Plains, offering a straightforward experience across Kansas. Plan for a single stop along the way to break up the drive. This route is ideal for those seeking a direct and uncomplicated journey.
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
156.7 miles from Louisburg, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 217.3 mi | 4h 13m |
| I 35 | 59.5 mi | 59m |
| KS 68 | 28.2 mi | 45m |
| 117 Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| West Amity Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US 400 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Broadway Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 217.3 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisburg, KS and Fort Dodge, KS.
1
Start on this road
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
152 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto KS 68
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Amity Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on KS 68
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
KS 68
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on KS 68
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
KS 68
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on KS 68
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
KS 68
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Enter roundabout onto KS 68
175 ft
·
3 sec
·
KS 68
9
Continue on KS 68
20 mi
·
35 min
·
KS 68
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 59 South, US 50 West: Wichita
11
Merge onto I 35; US 50; US 59
60 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35; US 50; US 59
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 50: Emporia, Newton
13
Enter roundabout
433 ft
·
5 sec
14
Continue
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
15
Enter roundabout onto US 50
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 50
16
Continue on US 50
43 mi
·
50 min
·
US 50
Use the straight lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 50
197 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
18
Continue on US 50
25 mi
·
30 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50 West: Newton
19
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
20
Take the exit onto US 50
40 mi
·
47 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50, KS 15: Hutchinson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 50
22
Enter roundabout onto US 50
176 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 50
23
Continue on US 50
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
US 50
24
Turn left onto 117 Road
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
117 Road
25
Turn sharp right onto US 400
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 400
26
Turn left
343 ft
·
14 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 5-hour duration and 313.1-mile distance, starting your drive from Louisburg in the morning will allow ample time to reach Fort Dodge comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes mean less frequent services compared to major highways. The estimated fuel cost is $48. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, ensure your navigation is set up before you depart to smoothly handle the numerous turns required along the route.
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 156.7 miles from Louisburg, KS, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.3 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.7 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Dodge, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Louisburg, 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 Louisburg, KS
This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Louisburg, 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 217.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 156.7 miles from Louisburg, 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 217.3 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 2nd Street
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KS 68 / West Amity Street
Turn left onto KS 68 / West Amity Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
30.1 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Turn left toward I 35 South, US 59 South, US 50 West: Wichita
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, US 59 South, US 50 West: Wic...
6
158.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
$48.98 one way
$97.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $53.78 | $107.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $60.29 | $120.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.17 | $138.35 |
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: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
| Efficient EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.41 | $12.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.3 | 1 | $43.86 | $20.05 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Fort Dodge, KS
Evening in Fort Dodge on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Peabody, KS
157 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
31 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 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 313.1-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating a series of local roads, including South 2nd Street, South Broadway Street, and West Amity Street. The profile suggests a route that requires consistent attention to turns rather than long stretches of high-speed driving. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch noted, the nature of this drive means you'll be frequently adjusting your course. It's a hands-on driving experience across the Kansas landscape.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.3 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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 2nd Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 313.3 miles you will encounter 18 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: near the start (South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (KS 68 / West Amity Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: 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 Louisburg, KS to Fort Dodge, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Newton along the way.
Newton
89.8 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 217.3 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 Fort Dodge, 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: near the start (South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (KS 68 / West Amity Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: 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 Fort Dodge, 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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