How far is Salina, KS from Clay Center, KS?
The driving distance from Salina, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102 miles (164.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Clay Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Clay Center.
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1
Start on South 8th Street
28 m · 6 sec · South 8th Street
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2
Turn right onto West Iron Avenue
672 ft · 35 sec · West Iron Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Santa Fe Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Santa Fe Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Claflin Avenue
965 ft · 25 sec · West Claflin Avenue
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5
Turn left onto South 9th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South 9th Street
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6
Turn right
43 m · 5 sec
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7
Turn right onto West Magnolia Road
1753 ft · 50 sec · West Magnolia Road
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8
Take the ramp left
1310 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left
57.3 mi · 57 min
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10
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 5 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
1369 ft · 34 sec
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13
Turn left onto KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
9.6 mi · 11 min · KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
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14
Continue on KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
18.9 mi · 22 min · KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
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15
Continue on Northwest State Road 196
135 m · 14 sec · Northwest State Road 196
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16
Take the ramp left
1429 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Southwest 20th Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Southwest 20th Street
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18
Continue on West Central Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Central Avenue
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19
Turn right onto South Denver Street
2328 ft · 1 min · South Denver Street
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20
Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue
1974 ft · 56 sec · West Kansas Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Main Street
9.2 mi · 11 min · South Main Street
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22
Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street
1421 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 100th Street
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23
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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24
Turn right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
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25
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
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26
Turn slight right onto Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
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27
Continue on Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
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28
Turn right onto Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 6 sec · Southeast 210th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 210th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Clay Center.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Magnolia Road
Merge slight left
57.3 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Sunny leaving Salina 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 Salina to Clay Center?
The road trip is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?
Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.7 miles from Salina and 62.6 miles from Clay Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102 miles (164.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 1:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.67 one way or $33.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Sunny near Clay Center.
Stop Ideas Near Newton
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 Newton.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 102.04 mi (164.21 km).
#1 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| 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: 202 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.67 | $33.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.80 | $37.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.57 | $41.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.44 | $46.89 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.