How far is Indianapolis, IN from Salem, IN?
The driving distance from Indianapolis, IN to Salem, IN is about 78.3 miles (126 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 45m 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 01h 52m.
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 Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
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
1863 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street
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7
Turn right onto Southeastern Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southeastern Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Southeastern Avenue
40 m · 8 sec · Southeastern Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Southeastern Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Southeastern Avenue
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10
Continue straight
21.8 mi · 24 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 44 South, SR 9 South: Shelbyville, Rushville
1184 ft · 29 sec
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12
Turn right
17 mi · 25 min
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13
Turn left onto North Perkins Street
69 m · 6 sec · North Perkins Street
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14
Turn right onto State Street
16.4 mi · 25 min · State Street
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15
Turn left onto North Eastern Avenue
834 ft · 18 sec · North Eastern Avenue
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16
Turn right onto East 5th Street
11.5 mi · 17 min · East 5th Street
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17
Turn right onto South Main Street
101 m · 12 sec · South Main Street
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18
Turn left onto West Seminary Street
1526 ft · 20 sec · West Seminary Street
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19
Turn slight right onto College Corner Avenue
1588 ft · 21 sec · College Corner Avenue
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20
Continue on Liberty Avenue
2.1 mi · 2 min · Liberty Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Salem Road
3005 ft · 2 min · South Salem Road
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22
Turn slight left onto County Road 200 East
2882 ft · 2 min · County Road 200 East
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23
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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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 250 South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Indianapolis and Salem.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Southeastern Avenue
Continue straight
21.8 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Indianapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 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 78.3 miles (126 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?
Rushville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.1 miles from Indianapolis and 39.2 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 2:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.41 one way or $20.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Indianapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Rushville
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 Rushville.
Connersville station
Indianapolis Union Station
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Indianapolis and Salem. Straight-line distance: 68.45 mi (110.16 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 | 6,236 |
| Coordinates | 39.5964400, -84.8902400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-84.89024, 39.59644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.41 | $20.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.74 | $23.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.85 | $25.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.