How far is Hutchinson, KS from Clay Center, KS?

The driving distance from Hutchinson, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.8 miles (162.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
129.61 mi
02h 24m
Flight
100.76 mi
162.15 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hutchinson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
100.76 mi
Kilometers
162.15 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.61 mi
Kilometers
208.59 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clay Center
Mon, May 25, 7:18 AM CDT
Return by in Hutchinson
Mon, May 25, 9:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hutchinson
2026-05-25T04:54
Arrive Clay Center
Mon, May 25, 7:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hutchinson
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Trenton
KS

Human settlement in Kansas, United States of America

From Hutchinson
64.8 mi
01h 12m
To Clay Center
64.8 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SSE
Destination
88°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hutchinson and Clay Center.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hutchinson and Clay Center.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    106 m · 28 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East 8th Avenue

    947 ft · 47 sec · East 8th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Maple Street

    1190 ft · 36 sec · North Maple Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East 11th Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East 11th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Ken Kennedy Freeway

    26.6 mi · 30 min · Ken Kennedy Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    2057 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    71.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1865 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Deer Road

    16 mi · 19 min · Deer Road

  10. 10

    Continue on 18th Road

    11.8 mi · 14 min · 18th Road

  11. 11

    Continue on West Crawford Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · West Crawford Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    1248 ft · 27 sec · 6th Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hutchinson and Clay Center.

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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ken Kennedy Freeway
98.5 mi · 76%
Deer Road
16 mi · 12%
18th Road
11.8 mi · 9%
West Crawford Street
1.28 mi · 1%
East 11th Avenue
1.27 mi · 1%
6th Street
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Ken Kennedy Freeway

Merge slight left

71.1 mi · 01h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.8 mi
100.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Trenton
01h 12m from Hutchinson
Leave By
1:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hutchinson and Sunny near Clay Center.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hutchinson to Clay Center?

The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Trenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.8 miles from Hutchinson and 64.8 miles from Clay Center.

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

The direct path is about 100.8 miles (162.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.8 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 1:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.23 one way or $34.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hutchinson and Sunny near Clay Center.

Stop Ideas Near Trenton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Trenton, 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 Trenton.

RAIL

Hutchinson

96 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave
RAIL

Newton

97 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hutchinson and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 100.76 mi (162.15 km).

Hutchinson

#1 Hutchinson

The county seat of Reno County, Kansas.

Population40,209
Coordinates38.0608400, -97.9297700
Altitude468
CountryUnited States
Clay Center

#2 Clay Center

City in Kansas

Population4,173
Coordinates39.3769400, -97.1247400
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Start: Hutchinson (-97.92977, 38.06084)
End: Clay Center (-97.12474, 39.37694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 209 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.57 gal
17.31 L · about $17.23
Round trip
$34.47
9.14 gal · 34.62 L
Estimated CO2
40.6 kg one way
Round trip: 81.2 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.23 $34.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.44 $38.87
Premium $4.65 $21.27 $42.54
Diesel $5.30 $24.24 $48.48

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Hutchinson and Clay Center. The current time is 04:54:18.

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.