How far is Cleveland, OH from Clayton, OH?

The driving distance from Cleveland, OH to Clayton, OH is about 259.4 miles (417.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
259.43 mi
05h 15m
Flight
217.24 mi
349.61 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cleveland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
217.24 mi
Kilometers
349.61 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
259.43 mi
Kilometers
417.52 km
Drive Time
05h 15m

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 05h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clayton
Thu, May 14, 6:58 AM EDT
Return by in Cleveland
Thu, May 14, 12:13 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cleveland
2026-05-14T01:42
Arrive Clayton
Thu, May 14, 6:58 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:16 AM to 1:16 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cleveland
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Westerville
OH

City in Ohio

From Cleveland
129.7 mi
02h 37m
To Clayton
129.7 mi
02h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW
Destination
65°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cleveland and Clayton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland and Clayton.

  1. 1

    Start on Frankfort Avenue

    48 m · 12 sec · Frankfort Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 3rd Street

    103 m · 17 sec · West 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Superior Avenue

    96 m · 15 sec · West Superior Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Roadway

    153 m · 23 sec · West Roadway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Ontario Street

    2378 ft · 1 min · Ontario Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto I 90 West, SR 10 West

    109 m · 14 sec

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West

    2957 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Innerbelt

    2935 ft · 45 sec · Innerbelt

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 71 South: Columbus

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    7.3 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    132.3 mi · 2 hr 24 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City

    1678 ft · 41 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City

    1011 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 East

    1.3 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Jack Nicklaus Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville

    1639 ft · 31 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on US 23 South: Circleville

    1087 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    901 ft · 22 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto South High Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · South High Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Portsmouth - Columbus Road

    36.5 mi · 47 min · Portsmouth - Columbus Road

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    20.4 mi · 29 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right

    1719 ft · 48 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway

    25.3 mi · 29 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight left

    116 m · 14 sec

  26. 26

    Merge slight right

    20.1 mi · 25 min

  27. 27

    Turn sharp right onto Clayton Pike

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Clayton Pike

  28. 28

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Clayton Pike

    1.5 mi · 6 min · Clayton Pike

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Clayton Pike

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cleveland and Clayton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 71 South
146 mi · 56%
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
57.3 mi · 22%
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
45.5 mi · 18%
Clayton Pike
3.11 mi · 1%
South High Street
2.75 mi · 1%
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
1.05 mi
Longest Stretch

I 71 South

Keep slight right

132 mi · 02h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.2 mi
217.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Westerville
02h 37m from Cleveland
Leave By
6:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Cleveland and Mostly Sunny near Clayton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cleveland to Clayton?

The road trip is about 259.4 miles (417.5 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?

Westerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.7 miles from Cleveland and 129.7 miles from Clayton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.90 one way or $67.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Cleveland and Mostly Sunny near Clayton.

Stop Ideas Near Westerville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Westerville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Westerville.

BUS

Columbus, OH

19 mi away
111 East Town Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cleveland and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 217.24 mi (349.61 km).

Cleveland

#1 Cleveland

The second most populous city in Ohio and the center of the Cleveland metropolitan area.

Population378,589
Coordinates41.4995000, -81.6954100
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Clayton

#2 Clayton

City in Ohio, United States

Population1,574
Coordinates38.7436800, -83.6754700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: Cleveland (-81.69541, 41.4995)
End: Clayton (-83.67547, 38.74368)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 418 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.15 gal
34.65 L · about $33.90
Round trip
$67.80
18.3 gal · 69.3 L
Estimated CO2
81.3 kg one way
Round trip: 162.6 kg / 358 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $33.90 $67.80
Mid-grade $4.24 $38.81 $77.63
Premium $4.79 $43.83 $87.66
Diesel $4.30 $39.38 $78.76

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 Ohio · May 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Cleveland and Clayton. The current time is 01:42:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.