How far is Clay Center, KS from Lenexa, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Lenexa, KS is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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.
County seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
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
Start on Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 11 sec · Southeast 210th Street
-
2
Turn left onto Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
-
3
Continue on Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
-
4
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
-
5
Turn slight right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
-
6
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
-
7
Turn right onto Southeast 100th Street
1383 ft · 20 sec · Southeast 100th Street
-
8
Turn right
13.3 mi · 19 min
-
9
Take the ramp right
1320 ft · 32 sec
-
10
Keep slight right
1929 ft · 47 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike
50.9 mi · 51 min · Kansas Turnpike
-
12
Keep slight right
95.5 mi · 1 hr 38 min
-
13
Continue on I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward 95th Street
805 ft · 20 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on 95th Street, Pittsburgh State University, Brown Mackie College
90 m · 7 sec
-
16
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
58 m · 4 sec · West 95th Street
-
17
Turn slight right onto Lenexa Drive
1165 ft · 57 sec · Lenexa Drive
-
18
Turn left onto Rosehill Road
152 m · 19 sec · Rosehill Road
-
19
Turn right
22 m · 11 sec
-
20
Turn left
78 m · 19 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Lenexa.
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 right
95.5 mi · 01h 38m
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.
Mostly Cloudy 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 173.8 miles (279.7 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Emporia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.6 miles from Clay Center and 85.2 miles from Lenexa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 1:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Clay Center and Mostly Sunny near Lenexa.
Stop Ideas Near Emporia
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 Emporia.
Topeka
Lawrence
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Lenexa. Straight-line distance: 148.48 mi (238.95 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lenexa
The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.
| Population | 56,156 |
| Coordinates | 38.9536200, -94.7335700 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-94.73357, 38.953456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.07 | $52.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.