How far is Shawnee, KS from Clay Center, KS?
The driving distance from Shawnee, KS to Clay Center, KS is about 185 miles (297.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Lyon County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shawnee and Clay Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee and Clay Center.
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1
Start on Bond Street
948 ft · 47 sec · Bond Street
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2
Turn left onto West 49th Terrace
1507 ft · 1 min · West 49th Terrace
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Nieman Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nieman Road
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4
Turn left onto Johnson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Johnson Drive
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 35 South: Wichita
687 ft · 17 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue on I 35 South, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
4.2 mi · 5 min
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8
Continue straight
37.1 mi · 39 min
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9
Continue straight
109.1 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 77: El Dorado
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
13.3 mi · 19 min · North Main Street
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12
Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street
1421 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 100th Street
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13
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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14
Turn right onto Southeast Chelsea Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Southeast Chelsea Road
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15
Continue on Southeast 120th Street
2067 ft · 41 sec · Southeast 120th Street
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16
Turn slight right onto Southwest 120th Street
122 m · 8 sec · Southwest 120th Street
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17
Continue on Southeast Cole Creek Road
9 mi · 16 min · Southeast Cole Creek Road
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18
Turn right onto Southeast 210th Street
66 m · 6 sec · Southeast 210th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 210th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shawnee 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 35 South
Continue straight
109 mi · 01h 50m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Shawnee and Mostly Cloudy then Chance 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 Shawnee to Clay Center?
The road trip is about 185 miles (297.8 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?
Neosho Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Shawnee and 92.6 miles from Clay Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Shawnee and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Clay Center.
Stop Ideas Near Neosho Rapids
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 Neosho Rapids.
Topeka
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shawnee and Clay Center. Straight-line distance: 153.07 mi (246.35 km).
#1 Shawnee
The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.
| Population | 66,298 |
| Coordinates | 39.0416700, -94.7202400 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| 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: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.