How far is Clay Center, KS from Lenexa, KS?

The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Lenexa, KS is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
155.24 mi
02h 31m
Flight
131.39 mi
211.45 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clay Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.39 mi
Kilometers
211.45 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.24 mi
Kilometers
249.83 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lenexa
Mon, May 25, 6:40 AM CDT
Return by in Clay Center
Mon, May 25, 9:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clay Center
2026-05-25T04:09
Arrive Lenexa
Mon, May 25, 6:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clay Center
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Maple Hill
KS

City in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States

From Clay Center
77.5 mi
01h 15m
To Lenexa
77.7 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Memorial Day

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Lenexa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Lenexa.

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    1248 ft · 31 sec · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Crawford Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Crawford Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 18th Road

    7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Barton Road

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Barton Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Cavalry Road

    4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Madison Road

    9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road

  7. 7

    Turn right

    8.6 mi · 10 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    82 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    1.4 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  11. 11

    Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard

    2191 ft · 1 min · Fort Riley Boulevard

  13. 13

    Take the exit right toward Junction I-70, Zeandale

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I-70 East, Topeka

    1046 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    35.7 mi · 36 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Kansas Turnpike

    14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence

    2307 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Lawrence Trafficway

    35.4 mi · 39 min · South Lawrence Trafficway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines, Renner Boulevard

    119 m · 6 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35, I 435 North: Wichita, Des Moines

    3070 ft · 48 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35: Wichita, Des Moines

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Des Moines

    3082 ft · 1 min

  26. 26

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward 95th Street

    805 ft · 20 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College

    90 m · 7 sec

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto West 95th Street

    58 m · 4 sec · West 95th Street

  30. 30

    Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive

    1165 ft · 57 sec · Lenexa Drive

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Rosehill Road

    152 m · 19 sec · Rosehill Road

  32. 32

    Turn right

    22 m · 11 sec

  33. 33

    Turn left

    78 m · 19 sec

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Lenexa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
34 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
51.4 mi · 33%
South Lawrence Trafficway
35.4 mi · 23%
Kansas Turnpike
14 mi · 9%
Madison Road
9.1 mi · 6%
Junction I-70
8.54 mi · 6%
18th Road
7.84 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

35.7 mi · 00h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.8 mi
131.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maple Hill
01h 15m from Clay Center
Leave By
1:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clay Center and Mostly Sunny near Lenexa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clay Center to Lenexa?

The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Maple Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Clay Center and 77.7 miles from Lenexa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 1:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Mostly Sunny near Lenexa.

Stop Ideas Near Maple Hill

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Maple Hill, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Hill.

RAIL

Topeka

32 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place
RAIL

Lawrence

70 mi away
413 East 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Lenexa. Straight-line distance: 131.39 mi (211.45 km).

Clay Center

#1 Clay Center

City in Kansas

Population4,173
Coordinates39.3769400, -97.1247400
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Lenexa

#2 Lenexa

The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.

Population56,156
Coordinates38.9536200, -94.7335700
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-97.124592, 39.376939)
End: (-94.73357, 38.953456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.74 L · about $20.67
Round trip
$41.33
10.96 gal · 41.48 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.67 $41.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.31 $46.61
Premium $4.65 $25.50 $51.01
Diesel $5.30 $29.07 $58.13

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

There is no time difference between Clay Center and Lenexa. The current time is 04:09:31.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.