How far is Hot Springs, AR from Salem, AR?

The driving distance from Hot Springs, AR to Salem, AR is about 201.1 miles (323.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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
201.06 mi
04h 07m
Flight
146.5 mi
235.77 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hot Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.5 mi
Kilometers
235.77 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.06 mi
Kilometers
323.57 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 11:42 AM CDT
Return by in Hot Springs
Sat, Apr 18, 3:50 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hot Springs
2026-04-18T07:34
Arrive Salem
Sat, Apr 18, 11:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hot Springs
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
Higginson
AR

Township in White County, Arkansas

From Hot Springs
100.5 mi
02h 04m
To Salem
100.5 mi
02h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph W
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 Hot Springs and Salem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs and Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on West Grand Avenue

    25 m · 9 sec · West Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on West Grand Avenue

    24.2 mi · 30 min · West Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Keep slight left

    26.9 mi · 30 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Louis

    28.4 mi · 29 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    26.6 mi · 27 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville

    1533 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    33 mi · 44 min

  11. 11

    Continue on South Saint Louis Street

    14.4 mi · 22 min · South Saint Louis Street

  12. 12

    Continue on South Main Street

    11.6 mi · 17 min · South Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Ash Flat Drive

    11.9 mi · 18 min · Ash Flat Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto T & C Boulevard

    17.1 mi · 19 min · T & C Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn right 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 Hot Springs 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
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Grand Avenue
56 mi · 28%
Saint Louis
55 mi · 27%
T & C Boulevard
17.1 mi · 9%
South Saint Louis Street
14.4 mi · 7%
Ash Flat Drive
11.9 mi · 6%
South Main Street
11.8 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

33 mi · 00h 44m

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
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.6 mi
146.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Higginson
02h 04m from Hot Springs
Leave By
8:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs to Salem?

The road trip is about 201.1 miles (323.6 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Higginson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from Hot Springs and 100.5 miles from Salem.

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

The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.89 one way or $53.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hot Springs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Higginson

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Higginson, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Higginson.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

72 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Walnut Ridge

119 mi away
109 Southwest Front Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hot Springs and Salem. Straight-line distance: 146.5 mi (235.77 km).

Hot Springs

#1 Hot Springs

County seat and city in Garland County, Arkansas, USA

Population38,939
Coordinates34.5037000, -93.0551800
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Salem

#2 Salem

City in Arkansas, United States

Population1,655
Coordinates36.3711800, -91.8226500
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Hot Springs (-93.05518, 34.5037)
End: Salem (-91.82265, 36.37118)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 324 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.1 gal
26.86 L · about $26.89
Round trip
$53.78
14.2 gal · 53.72 L
Estimated CO2
63.1 kg one way
Round trip: 126.2 kg / 278 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $26.89 $53.78
Mid-grade $4.26 $30.24 $60.48
Premium $4.63 $32.84 $65.68
Diesel $5.42 $38.45 $76.89

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 Hot Springs and Salem. The current time is 07:34:55.

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.