How far is Dodge City, KS from Clay Center, KS?
The driving distance from Dodge City, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 195.7 miles (314.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.3 miles (287 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m 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 04h 05m.
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.
City in Kansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dodge City and Clay Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodge City and Clay Center.
-
1
Start on Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · East Wyatt Earp Boulevard
-
3
Turn right
2546 ft · 1 min
-
4
Turn left onto East Trail Street
41.9 mi · 50 min · East Trail Street
-
5
Continue on West Kansas Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Kansas Avenue
-
6
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
28.7 mi · 33 min · Cannonball Stageline
-
7
Continue on West 1st Street
3.1 mi · 7 min · West 1st Street
-
8
Continue on Cannonball Stageline
31.5 mi · 35 min · Cannonball Stageline
-
9
Continue on D Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · D Avenue
-
10
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
61.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
-
11
Continue on West 7th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West 7th Avenue
-
12
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
-
13
Continue on Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
-
14
Turn right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
-
15
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
-
16
Turn slight right onto Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
-
17
Continue on Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
-
18
Turn right onto Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 6 sec · Southeast 210th Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 210th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dodge City and Clay Center.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
61.2 mi · 01h 12m
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 Dodge City and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Clay Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dodge City to Clay Center?
The road trip is about 195.7 miles (314.9 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?
Cunningham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.6 miles from Dodge City and 98.1 miles from Clay Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.3 miles (287 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 8:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.06 one way or $52.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dodge City and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Clay Center.
Stop Ideas Near Cunningham
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 Cunningham.
Hutchinson
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dodge City and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 178.32 mi (286.98 km).
#1 Dodge City
City in and county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 27,104 |
| Coordinates | 37.7528000, -100.0170800 |
| Altitude | 760 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 3,991 |
| Coordinates | 37.5194600, -96.7711400 |
| Altitude | 406 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clay Center (-96.77114, 37.51946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.39 | $58.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.