How far is Hays, KS from Salem, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Salem, KS is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82 miles (132 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 29m.
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.
City in Phillips County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Salem.
-
1
Start on the route
89 m · 27 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
-
3
Continue on Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street
-
5
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street
-
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
-
10
Continue on North Vine Street
928 ft · 21 sec · North Vine Street
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
37 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
-
12
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Vine Street
-
13
Continue on 250th Avenue
35.6 mi · 43 min · 250th Avenue
-
14
Continue on South Cedar Street
18.1 mi · 22 min · South Cedar Street
-
15
Continue on Central Avenue
2640 ft · 56 sec · Central Avenue
-
16
Continue on East 100 Road
4.8 mi · 5 min · East 100 Road
-
17
Turn right onto East Ridge Road
40.4 mi · 48 min · East Ridge Road
-
18
Take the exit slight right
1001 ft · 34 sec
-
19
Turn left
6.3 mi · 8 min
-
20
Turn right onto 100 Road
1.5 mi · 6 min · 100 Road
-
21
Turn slight right
2 mi · 8 min
-
22
Turn right onto 20 Road
2927 ft · 2 min · 20 Road
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 20 Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Salem.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East Ridge Road
Turn right onto East Ridge Road
40.4 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Hays and Partly Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Salem?
The road trip is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?
Glade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.3 miles from Hays and 56.3 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82 miles (132 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:32 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.17 one way or $30.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Hays and Partly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Glade
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 Glade.
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Salem. Straight-line distance: 82.01 mi (131.99 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
City (possibly historical)
| Population | 305 |
| Coordinates | 39.8716800, -98.4845000 |
| Altitude | 543 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-98.4845, 39.87168)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.82 | $15.17 | $30.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.19 | $16.63 | $33.26 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $18.08 | $36.16 |
| Diesel | $5.92 | $23.51 | $47.01 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026