How far is Elsmere, DE from Clayton, DE?
The driving distance from Elsmere, DE to Clayton, DE is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 00h 50m.
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.
Town in New Castle County, Delaware, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elsmere and Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elsmere and Clayton.
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1
Start on Robert Kirkwood Highway
2284 ft · 56 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway
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2
Turn right onto South Dupont Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Dupont Road
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3
Turn right onto North Maryland Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Maryland Avenue
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4
Continue on East Newport Pike
1.2 km · 2 min · East Newport Pike
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5
Continue on East Justis Street
1427 ft · 41 sec · East Justis Street
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6
Turn left onto North James Street
103 m · 13 sec · North James Street
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7
Turn left onto East Market Street
29 m · 2 sec · East Market Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward DE 141 South: New Castle
1026 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1667 ft · 28 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Newark, Baltimore
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Delaware Turnpike
2 mi · 2 min · Delaware Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward DE 1 South, DE 7 South: Mall Road, Dover, Beaches
2960 ft · 41 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
1.2 km · 59 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
1518 ft · 20 sec · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15.9 mi · 18 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 13: Rest Area
1630 ft · 42 sec
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18
Turn left onto South Dupont Parkway
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Dupont Parkway
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19
Continue on North Dupont Boulevard
1157 ft · 28 sec · North Dupont Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto East Glenwood Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Glenwood Avenue
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21
Turn slight right onto Smyrna Clayton Boulevard
2144 ft · 49 sec · Smyrna Clayton Boulevard
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22
Continue on Main Street
1817 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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23
Turn right onto Clayton Avenue
7 m · 1 sec · Clayton Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Clayton Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elsmere and Clayton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15.9 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Elsmere and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elsmere to Clayton?
The road trip is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Odessa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Elsmere and 18.8 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.39 one way or $10.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Elsmere and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Clayton.
Stop Ideas Near Odessa
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 Odessa.
Newark
Wilmington station
Dover, Delaware
Aberdeen
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elsmere and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 31.06 mi (49.98 km).
#1 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 5,761 |
| Coordinates | 39.7392800, -75.5979800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clayton
Town in Delaware, United States
| Population | 3,630 |
| Coordinates | 39.2906700, -75.6343700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-75.63437, 39.29067)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.39 | $10.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.89 | $15.79 |
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 Delaware · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.