How far is Clay Center, KS from Leavenworth, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Leavenworth, KS is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Leavenworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Leavenworth.
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1
Start on 6th Street
1248 ft · 31 sec · 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto Crawford Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Crawford Street
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3
Continue on 18th Road
7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road
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4
Continue on Barton Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Barton Road
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5
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road
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6
Turn left onto Madison Road
9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road
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7
Turn right
8.6 mi · 10 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
82 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
1.4 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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11
Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.6 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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12
Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard
2191 ft · 1 min · Fort Riley Boulevard
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13
Take the exit right toward Junction I-70, Zeandale
8.5 mi · 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I-70 East, Topeka
1046 ft · 26 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
35.7 mi · 36 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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19
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
40.4 mi · 41 min · Kansas Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
1.2 km · 2 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
73 m · 13 sec
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22
Turn left
15.5 mi · 23 min
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23
Turn left onto Spruce Street
2974 ft · 1 min · Spruce Street
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24
Turn right
84 m · 20 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Leavenworth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Kansas Turnpike
Continue on Kansas Turnpike
40.4 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Clay Center and Sunny near Leavenworth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clay Center to Leavenworth?
The road trip is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km) and usually takes 02h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Clay Center and 56 miles from Leavenworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Sunny near Leavenworth.
Stop Ideas Near Willard
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Willard.
Topeka
Lawrence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Leavenworth. Straight-line distance: 117.76 mi (189.52 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 4,173 |
| Coordinates | 39.3769400, -97.1247400 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Leavenworth
City in Kansas
| Population | 35,934 |
| Coordinates | 39.3111100, -94.9224600 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-94.922671, 39.310837)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.99 | $35.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.29 | $40.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.20 | $44.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.30 | $50.60 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kansas · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.