Traveling from Ulysses to Dodge City covers 78.9 miles across the Great Plains, making for a straightforward journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget roughly $12 for fuel to complete the trek. The route primarily utilizes US 56, East Oklahoma Avenue, and KS 144 to navigate between these two Kansas hubs. It is a practical, efficient connection for those looking to cross the plains without unnecessary complications or lengthy travel times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 56
32.5 mi
39m
East Oklahoma Avenue
27 mi
35m
KS 144
16.6 mi
29m
South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
South Missouri Street
0.3 mi
<1m
West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
East Grant Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Court Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 56
— 32.5 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ulysses, KS and Dodge City, KS.
1
Start on North Court Street
226 ft·15 sec·North Court Street
2
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
302 ft·15 sec·East Grant Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·South Missouri Street
4
Turn left onto US 160
27 mi·35 min·East Oklahoma Avenue
5
Continue on KS 144
17 mi·29 min·KS 144
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 56
33 mi·39 min·US 56
7
Keep straight at fork
316 ft·4 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
215 ft·2 sec
9
Turn straight onto South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·South 2nd Avenue
10
Turn right onto West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Wyatt Earp Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Central Avenue
78 ft·2 sec·Central Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the trip is short, it is wise to top off your tank in Ulysses before you head out, given the $12 estimated fuel cost for the 78.9-mile span. Keep an eye on your speedometer during the transition between highways, as road types shift from major routes like US 56 to local segments like East Oklahoma Avenue. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by choosing your own pace for breaks. If you prefer a relaxed morning, you can easily reach your destination by lunch without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.4 miles from Ulysses, KS, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.5 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
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 Ulysses, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ulysses, KS
This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Ulysses, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 56 for about 32.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 76.5 — 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|East Grant Avenue
Turn left onto East Grant Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Missouri Street
Turn right onto South Missouri Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue
Turn left onto US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
43.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 56
At end of road, turn left onto US 56
Navigation decision point
5
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.34 one way
$24.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.54
$27.09
premium
$4.89
$15.18
$30.37
diesel
$5.61
$17.42
$34.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.28
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ulysses, KS
Afternoon
in Ulysses on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dodge City, KS
Afternoon
in Dodge City on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
20 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
1h 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving steadily through the Kansas landscape. With a highway share of 62 percent, the road favors consistent speeds over technical maneuvers or local stop-and-go traffic. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.5 miles on US 56, which defines the core personality of the journey. The transition between these roads creates a predictable pace, allowing you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel. It is a functional path that prioritizes direct transit across the region rather than winding, scenic detours.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.5 mi on US 56.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 56 and East Oklahoma Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Grant Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 78.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 (East Grant Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 78.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.5 miles on US 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Grant Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 160 / East Oklahoma Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dodge City, KS before heading back.
