How far is Gary, IN from Salem, IN?
The driving distance from Gary, IN to Salem, IN is about 239 miles (384.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Boone County, Indiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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 right
5.1 mi · 6 min
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12
Merge slight right
12.5 mi · 15 min
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13
Merge slight right
5.7 mi · 7 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
1087 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
44 m · 2 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Dayton
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
59.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
2610 ft · 45 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Pike
1.3 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Pike
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20
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
1 mi · 2 min · Northwest 5th Street
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21
Turn left onto Richmond Avenue
2947 ft · 1 min · Richmond Avenue
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22
Continue on North D Street
2026 ft · 58 sec · North D Street
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23
Turn right onto Chester Boulevard
46 m · 2 sec · Chester Boulevard
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24
Continue on North 8th Street
14.5 mi · 20 min · North 8th Street
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25
Turn left onto West Seminary Street
1526 ft · 20 sec · West Seminary Street
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26
Turn slight right onto College Corner Avenue
1588 ft · 21 sec · College Corner Avenue
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27
Continue on Liberty Avenue
2.1 mi · 2 min · Liberty Avenue
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28
Turn right onto South Salem Road
3005 ft · 2 min · South Salem Road
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29
Turn slight left onto County Road 200 East
2882 ft · 2 min · County Road 200 East
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30
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 250 South
2 m · 1 sec · County Road 250 South
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 250 South
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.
Sunny leaving Gary 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 Gary to Salem?
The road trip is about 239 miles (384.6 km) and usually takes 04h 41m 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?
Pike is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.4 miles from Gary and 119.6 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.2 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 7:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.79 one way or $63.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.9 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 Sunny around Gary and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Pike
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 Pike.
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Lafayette station
Indianapolis Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gary and Salem. Straight-line distance: 188.77 mi (303.8 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 | 6,236 |
| Coordinates | 39.5964400, -84.8902400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-84.89024, 39.59644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 385 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.79 | $63.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.85 | $71.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.23 | $78.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.71 | $89.43 |
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.