How far is Fayetteville, AR from Salem, AR?

The driving distance from Fayetteville, AR to Salem, AR is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.9 miles (212.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m 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
159.2 mi
03h 20m
Flight
131.88 mi
212.24 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fayetteville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.88 mi
Kilometers
212.24 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.2 mi
Kilometers
256.2 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 10:55 AM CDT
Return by in Fayetteville
Sat, Apr 18, 2:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fayetteville
2026-04-18T07:35
Arrive Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 10:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 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
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fayetteville
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bellefonte
AR

Township in Boone County, Arkansas

From Fayetteville
79.5 mi
01h 40m
To Salem
79.7 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
69°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fayetteville and Salem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville and Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    24 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Center Street

    45 m · 8 sec · East Center Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North College Avenue

    2083 ft · 59 sec · North College Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Lafayette Street

    2274 ft · 1 min · East Lafayette Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Mission Boulevard

    6.4 mi · 11 min · North Mission Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on West Bowen Boulevard

    12.5 mi · 19 min · West Bowen Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn straight

    2638 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    40.2 mi · 46 min

  9. 9

    Continue on Main Street

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Main Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    774 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    12.4 mi · 20 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    31.1 mi · 35 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    16.1 mi · 19 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    32.8 mi · 37 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1250 ft · 25 sec · South Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fayetteville and Salem.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
86.1 mi · 54%
West Bowen Boulevard
12.5 mi · 8%
North Mission Boulevard
6.39 mi · 4%
East Lafayette Street
0.43 mi
North College Avenue
0.39 mi
South Main Street
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

40.2 mi · 00h 46m

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 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
131.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bellefonte
01h 40m from Fayetteville
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fayetteville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fayetteville to Salem?

The road trip is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Bellefonte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Fayetteville and 79.7 miles from Salem.

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

The direct path is about 131.9 miles (212.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.28 one way or $42.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fayetteville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fayetteville and Salem. Straight-line distance: 131.88 mi (212.24 km).

Fayetteville

#1 Fayetteville

The most populous city in Washington County, Arkansas.

Population89,576
Coordinates36.0625800, -94.1574300
Altitude427
CountryUnited States
Salem

#2 Salem

City in Arkansas, United States

Population1,655
Coordinates36.3711800, -91.8226500
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Fayetteville (-94.15743, 36.06258)
End: Salem (-91.82265, 36.37118)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.62 gal
21.26 L · about $21.28
Round trip
$42.57
11.24 gal · 42.52 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.9 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $21.28 $42.57
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.94 $47.87
Premium $4.63 $25.99 $51.99
Diesel $5.42 $30.43 $60.86

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 Arkansas · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Fayetteville and Salem. The current time is 07:35:14.

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.