How far is Kansas City, KS from Salem, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Salem, KS is about 267.3 miles (430.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Riley County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Salem.
-
1
Start on the route
45 m · 13 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 56 min
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
-
6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
52.4 mi · 55 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Manhattan, Council Grove
880 ft · 25 sec
-
8
Turn right
8.3 mi · 10 min
-
9
Take the exit straight toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard
938 ft · 42 sec
-
10
Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard
1241 ft · 40 sec · Fort Riley Boulevard
-
11
Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard
5.7 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
71 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
-
13
Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard
49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard
8.6 mi · 10 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard
-
16
Turn left onto Madison Road
9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road
-
17
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road
-
18
Turn left onto Barton Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Barton Road
-
19
Continue on 18th Road
7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road
-
20
Continue on Crawford Street
2.2 mi · 5 min · Crawford Street
-
21
Continue on 18th Road
11.8 mi · 14 min · 18th Road
-
22
Continue on Eagle Road
24.2 mi · 28 min · Eagle Road
-
23
Continue on Dove Road
3.3 mi · 4 min · Dove Road
-
24
Continue on Elk Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Elk Road
-
25
Continue on Fox Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Fox Road
-
26
Continue on Gold Road
36.8 mi · 45 min · Gold Road
-
27
Turn right
19.2 mi · 22 min
-
28
Continue straight
6.3 mi · 8 min
-
29
Turn right onto 100 Road
1.5 mi · 6 min · 100 Road
-
30
Turn slight right
2 mi · 8 min
-
31
Turn right onto 20 Road
2927 ft · 2 min · 20 Road
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 20 Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Salem.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 70 West
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy leaving Kansas City 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 Kansas City to Salem?
The road trip is about 267.3 miles (430.1 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Riley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.4 miles from Kansas City and 133.8 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.1 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:22 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.04 one way or $72.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy around Kansas City and Partly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Riley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Olsburg
Riley City Clerk
City Park S
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Riley.
Topeka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Salem. Straight-line distance: 212.19 mi (341.49 km).
#1 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| 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: 430 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.82 | $36.04 | $72.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.19 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $42.94 | $85.89 |
| Diesel | $5.92 | $55.84 | $111.67 |
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