How far is Clay Center, KS from Leavenworth, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Leavenworth, KS is about 186.9 miles (300.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Leavenworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Leavenworth.
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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
96.4 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Kansas Turnpike
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13
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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14
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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15
Turn left
15.5 mi · 23 min
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16
Turn left onto Spruce Street
2974 ft · 1 min · Spruce Street
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17
Turn right
84 m · 20 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 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
Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
96.4 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Clay Center and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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 186.9 miles (300.8 km) and usually takes 03h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Admire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.5 miles from Clay Center and 90.4 miles from Leavenworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.85 one way or $49.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 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 Leavenworth.
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 Leavenworth. Straight-line distance: 159.18 mi (256.17 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| 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: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.03 | $56.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.67 | $61.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.95 | $69.91 |
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.