How far is Clay Center, KS from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Kansas City, KS is about 189 miles (304.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Human settlement in Lyon County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 11 sec · Southeast 210th Street
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2
Turn left onto Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
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3
Continue on Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
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4
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
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6
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Turn right onto Southeast 100th Street
1383 ft · 20 sec · Southeast 100th Street
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8
Turn right
13.3 mi · 19 min
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9
Take the ramp right
1320 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right
1929 ft · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
50.9 mi · 51 min · Kansas Turnpike
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
110.7 mi · 1 hr 52 min · Kansas Turnpike
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 69 North: Saint Louis
1600 ft · 25 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 North, US 169 South
943 ft · 21 sec
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15
Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway
1.5 mi · 4 min · South 7th Street Trafficway
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16
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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17
Turn left
45 m · 11 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Kansas City.
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
Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
111 mi · 01h 52m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clay Center to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 189 miles (304.1 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Admire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.2 miles from Clay Center and 92.8 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Admire
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 Admire.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 160.13 mi (257.71 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Armstrong Avenue (-94.627458, 39.114578)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 304 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.15 | $50.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.37 | $56.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.04 | $62.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.38 | $70.76 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.