How far is Clayton, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Clayton, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 242.4 miles (390.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 231 miles (371.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m 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 38m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Hillvale Drive
54 m · 8 sec · Hillvale Drive
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2
Turn left onto Wydown Boulevard
3092 ft · 2 min · Wydown Boulevard
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Hanley Road
1.5 km · 1 min · South Hanley Road
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4
Turn right onto North Service Road
3203 ft · 2 min · North Service Road
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5
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West
1574 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Daniel Boone Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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7
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
27.8 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
1120 ft · 21 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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21
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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22
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton 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.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Clayton and Sunny near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 242.4 miles (390.1 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.7 miles from Clayton and 121.7 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 231 miles (371.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.24 one way or $64.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Clayton and Sunny near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 231.03 mi (371.8 km).
#1 Clayton
Inner-ring suburb of St.
| Population | 16,775 |
| Coordinates | 38.6425500, -90.3237300 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 390 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.24 | $64.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.36 | $72.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.79 | $79.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.35 | $90.70 |
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 Missouri · Apr 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.