How far is Hays, KS from Salina, KS?
The driving distance from Hays, KS to Salina, KS is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.3 miles (148.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 01h 27m.
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 Ellsworth County, Kansas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Salina.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Salina.
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1
Start on the route
89 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
574 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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3
Continue on Main Street
2212 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto West 27th Street
1218 ft · 26 sec · West 27th Street
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5
Turn left onto North Vine Street
2458 ft · 1 min · North Vine Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
105 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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7
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
1160 ft · 28 sec · North Vine Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Vine Street
39 m · 2 sec · North Vine Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto North Vine Street
104 m · 8 sec · North Vine Street
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10
Continue on North Vine Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Vine Street
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11
Take the exit slight right
949 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 135 South, US 81 South: Wichita
2112 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward KS 140
1198 ft · 34 sec
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16
Turn left onto Old US 40
150 m · 9 sec · Old US 40
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17
Continue on West State Street
2107 ft · 40 sec · West State Street
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18
Keep slight right
131 m · 9 sec
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19
Turn straight onto West State Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West State Street
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20
Turn right onto North College Avenue
116 m · 16 sec · North College Avenue
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21
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
2400 ft · 1 min · West Iron Avenue
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22
Turn right onto South 8th Street
28 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Salina.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90.9 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Hays and Sunny near Salina.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hays to Salina?
The road trip is about 97.2 miles (156.4 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Wilson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from Hays and 48.7 miles from Salina.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.3 miles (148.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.93 one way or $25.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hays and Sunny near Salina.
Stop Ideas Near Wilson
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 Wilson.
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Salina. Straight-line distance: 92.33 mi (148.59 km).
#1 Hays
City in Kansas, United States
| Population | 20,829 |
| Coordinates | 38.8791800, -99.3267700 |
| Altitude | 616 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 8th Street (-97.611466, 38.840281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 156 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.93 | $25.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.59 | $29.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.