How far is Kansas City, KS from Clay Center, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.8 miles (217 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 02h 57m.
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.
City in Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Clay Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Clay Center.
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1
Start on the route
45 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 56 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
52.4 mi · 55 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Manhattan, Council Grove
880 ft · 25 sec
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8
Turn right
8.3 mi · 10 min
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9
Take the exit straight toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard
938 ft · 42 sec
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10
Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard
1241 ft · 40 sec · Fort Riley Boulevard
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11
Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.7 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
71 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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13
Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
8.6 mi · 10 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Madison Road
9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road
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17
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road
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18
Turn left onto Barton Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Barton Road
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19
Continue on 18th Road
7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road
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20
Continue on Crawford Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Crawford Street
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21
Turn left onto 6th Street
1248 ft · 27 sec · 6th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Clay Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Clay Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Clay Center?
The road trip is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Willard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.7 miles from Kansas City and 79 miles from Clay Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.8 miles (217 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.00 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Clay Center.
Stop Ideas Near Willard
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 Willard.
Topeka
Lawrence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 134.85 mi (217.02 km).
#1 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clay Center
City in Kansas
| Population | 4,173 |
| Coordinates | 39.3769400, -97.1247400 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clay Center (-97.12474, 39.37694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.00 | $42.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.92 | $51.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.54 | $59.09 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.