How far is Clay Center, KS from Salina, KS?
The driving distance from Clay Center, KS to Salina, KS is about 126.9 miles (204.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102 miles (164.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clay Center and Salina.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay Center and Salina.
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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
3.5 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on East 7th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · East 7th Avenue
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9
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
10.6 mi · 13 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
1522 ft · 37 sec
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11
Continue straight
10.1 mi · 12 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
2.2 mi · 3 min
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13
Continue straight
18 mi · 19 min
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14
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
60.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward KS 140
815 ft · 21 sec
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17
Turn right onto West State Street
2107 ft · 40 sec · West State Street
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18
Keep slight right
131 m · 9 sec
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19
Turn straight onto West State Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West State Street
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20
Turn right onto North College Avenue
116 m · 16 sec · North College Avenue
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21
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
2400 ft · 1 min · West Iron Avenue
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22
Turn right onto South 8th Street
28 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay Center and Salina.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 135 North
Continue straight
60.7 mi · 01h 01m
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 near Salina.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clay Center to Salina?
The road trip is about 126.9 miles (204.3 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.6 miles from Clay Center and 62.4 miles from Salina.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102 miles (164.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 2:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay Center and Sunny near Salina.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay Center and Salina. Straight-line distance: 102.04 mi (164.21 km).
#1 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 8th Street (-97.611466, 38.840281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.85 | $41.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
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.