How far is Gary, IN from Salem, IN?
The driving distance from Gary, IN to Salem, IN is about 252.2 miles (405.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 45m 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 04h 52m.
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 Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gary and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gary and Salem.
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1
Start on 10th Place
17 m · 4 sec · 10th Place
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2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
146 m · 28 sec · Harrison Street
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3
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
1250 ft · 39 sec · West 11th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Madison Street
1406 ft · 48 sec · Madison Street
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5
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · West 15th Avenue
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6
Continue on Central Avenue
854 ft · 22 sec · Central Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
2.5 mi · 5 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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8
Turn left onto East Ridge Road
1276 ft · 35 sec · East Ridge Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1469 ft · 36 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
128.7 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left
17.1 mi · 22 min
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12
Continue on I 70 East: Dayton
1.9 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
80.9 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 56 West: Salem
1274 ft · 27 sec
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15
Turn straight onto West McClain Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West McClain Avenue
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16
Continue on West Mount Drive
906 ft · 15 sec · West Mount Drive
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17
Continue on State Road 56
16.4 mi · 24 min · State Road 56
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18
Continue on East Hackberry Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East Hackberry Street
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19
Turn left onto North Main Street
951 ft · 21 sec · North Main Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Westside Road
93 m · 6 sec · Westside Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Westside Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gary and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
129 mi · 02h 20m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gary and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gary to Salem?
The road trip is about 252.2 miles (405.9 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.1 miles from Gary and 126.1 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 7:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.56 one way or $67.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Gary and Salem, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gary and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
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 Lebanon.
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Indianapolis Union Station
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gary and Salem. Straight-line distance: 216.67 mi (348.69 km).
#1 Gary
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
| Population | 74,693 |
| Coordinates | 41.5933700, -87.3464300 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
City in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 6,217 |
| Coordinates | 38.6056100, -86.1010900 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-86.10109, 38.60561)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 406 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.56 | $67.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.42 | $82.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.21 | $94.41 |
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 Indiana · 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.