How far is Clay Center, KS from Shawnee, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Shawnee, KS is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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 33m.
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 Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Shawnee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Shawnee.
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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
48.7 mi · 50 min · Kansas Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward College Parkway
1178 ft · 29 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Turner Diagonal
119 m · 10 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Turner Diagonal
1.2 mi · 2 min · Turner Diagonal
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23
Continue straight
1.5 km · 2 min
-
24
Turn right onto South 55th Street
1857 ft · 53 sec · South 55th Street
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25
Turn slight right
51 m · 7 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Inland Drive
2653 ft · 1 min · Inland Drive
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27
Turn left onto South 59th Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · South 59th Street
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28
Turn right onto 47th Street
1822 ft · 55 sec · 47th Street
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29
Turn left onto Bond Street
977 ft · 43 sec · Bond Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bond Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Shawnee.
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
48.7 mi · 00h 50m
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 Mostly Sunny near Shawnee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clay Center to Shawnee?
The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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 78.2 miles from Clay Center and 78.4 miles from Shawnee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Mostly Sunny near Shawnee.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Hill
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 Maple Hill.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Shawnee. Straight-line distance: 130.79 mi (210.49 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 4,173 |
| Coordinates | 39.3769400, -97.1247400 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shawnee
The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.
| Population | 66,298 |
| Coordinates | 39.0416700, -94.7202400 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bond Street (-94.719801, 39.041669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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.