How far is Indianapolis, IN from Salem, IN?
The driving distance from Indianapolis, IN to Salem, IN is about 101.6 miles (163.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02m.
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.
Town 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 Indianapolis and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indianapolis and Salem.
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1
Start on the route
78 m · 33 sec
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2
Turn left
11 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto Monument Circle
606 ft · 23 sec · Monument Circle
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4
Turn right onto East Market Street
2837 ft · 2 min · East Market Street
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5
Turn right onto North Park Avenue
156 m · 23 sec · North Park Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Washington Street
932 ft · 34 sec · East Washington Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 65 South, I 70 West: Louisville, Saint Louis
1309 ft · 30 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South, I 70 West: Louisville, Saint Louis, East Street
1110 ft · 19 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1938 ft · 33 sec
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10
Keep slight left
80.9 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 56 West: Salem
1274 ft · 27 sec
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12
Turn straight onto West McClain Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West McClain Avenue
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13
Continue on West Mount Drive
906 ft · 15 sec · West Mount Drive
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14
Continue on State Road 56
16.4 mi · 24 min · State Road 56
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15
Continue on East Hackberry Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East Hackberry Street
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16
Turn left onto North Main Street
951 ft · 21 sec · North Main Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Westside Road
93 m · 6 sec · Westside Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Westside Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Indianapolis 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.
I 65 South
Keep slight left
80.9 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Indianapolis and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Indianapolis to Salem?
The road trip is about 101.6 miles (163.5 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Jonesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Indianapolis and 50.8 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.50 one way or $27.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Indianapolis and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Jonesville
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 Jonesville.
Indianapolis Union Station
Louisville, Kentucky
Connersville station
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Indianapolis and Salem. Straight-line distance: 80.4 mi (129.39 km).
#1 Indianapolis
The sixteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
| Population | 877,903 |
| Coordinates | 39.7683800, -86.1580400 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 163 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.50 | $27.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.23 | $30.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.66 | $33.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.