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

The driving distance from Leavenworth, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
193.22 mi
03h 38m
Flight
159.18 mi
256.17 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Leavenworth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.18 mi
Kilometers
256.17 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.22 mi
Kilometers
310.95 km
Drive Time
03h 38m

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 03h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clay Center
Tue, May 12, 11:00 PM CDT
Return by in Leavenworth
Wed, May 13, 2:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Leavenworth
2026-05-12T19:22
Arrive Clay Center
Tue, May 12, 11:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Leavenworth
9:00 PM CDT
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
Admire
KS

Human settlement in Lyon County, Kansas, United States of America

From Leavenworth
96.6 mi
01h 49m
To Clay Center
96.6 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 22 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    84 m · 25 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Spruce Street

    2974 ft · 1 min · Spruce Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    3.2 mi · 6 min · South 4th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Main Street

    11.9 mi · 16 min · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto I 70 West: Topeka

    2222 ft · 56 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

    40.1 mi · 40 min · Kansas Turnpike

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Kansas Turnpike

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77: El Dorado

    1.3 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street

    13.3 mi · 19 min · North Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street

    1421 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 100th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Southeast Chelsea Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Southeast 120th Street

    2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto Southwest 120th Street

    122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Southeast Cole Creek Road

    9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Southeast 210th Street

    66 m · 6 sec · Southeast 210th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 210th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Leavenworth 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
17 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kansas Turnpike
148 mi · 77%
North Main Street
25.3 mi · 13%
Southeast Cole Creek Road
8.99 mi · 5%
South 4th Street
3.16 mi · 2%
Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3.02 mi · 2%
Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Kansas Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike

108 mi · 01h 48m

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
03h 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34 mi
159.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Admire
01h 49m from Leavenworth
Leave By
9:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Leavenworth 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 Leavenworth to Clay Center?

The road trip is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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?

Admire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.6 miles from Leavenworth and 96.6 miles from Clay Center.

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

The direct path is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 9:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Leavenworth and Sunny near Clay Center.

Stop Ideas Near Admire

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

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

RAIL

Topeka

59 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place
RAIL

Lawrence

84 mi away
413 East 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Leavenworth and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 159.18 mi (256.17 km).

Leavenworth

#1 Leavenworth

City in Kansas

Population35,934
Coordinates39.3111100, -94.9224600
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Clay Center

#2 Clay Center

City in Kansas

Population3,991
Coordinates37.5194600, -96.7711400
Altitude406
CountryUnited States
Start: Leavenworth (-94.92246, 39.31111)
End: Clay Center (-96.77114, 37.51946)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 311 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.82 gal
25.81 L · about $25.72
Round trip
$51.44
13.64 gal · 51.62 L
Estimated CO2
60.6 kg one way
Round trip: 121.2 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.72 $51.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.01 $58.01
Premium $4.65 $31.74 $63.48
Diesel $5.30 $36.17 $72.35

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Leavenworth and Clay Center. The current time is 19:22:12.

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.