How far is Salem, IN from City of Gary, IN?

The driving distance from Salem, IN to City of Gary, IN is about 257.5 miles (414.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 216.8 miles (348.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
257.47 mi
04h 12m
Flight
216.79 mi
348.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
216.79 mi
Kilometers
348.89 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
257.47 mi
Kilometers
414.36 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in City of Gary
Tue, May 26, 7:48 PM CDT
Return by in Salem
Wed, May 27, 1:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-05-26T16:36
Arrive City of Gary
Tue, May 26, 8:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

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

Leave by
8:36 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salem
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Lebanon
IN

City in Indiana, United States

From Salem
127.1 mi
02h 06m
To City of Gary
130.4 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and City of Gary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem and City of Gary.

  1. 1

    Start on Westside Road

    720 ft · 21 sec · Westside Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    951 ft · 23 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Hackberry Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Hackberry Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Road 56

    16.4 mi · 24 min · State Road 56

  5. 5

    Continue on West Mount Drive

    906 ft · 15 sec · West Mount Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on West McClain Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West McClain Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left

    1073 ft · 28 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    82.2 mi · 1 hr 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    29.8 mi · 36 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    120.1 mi · 2 hr 12 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East 5th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · East 5th Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on East 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · East 4th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    2662 ft · 1 min · Madison Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West 8th Avenue

    875 ft · 31 sec · West 8th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left

    104 m · 25 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and City of Gary.

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
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
120 mi · 47%
West McClain Avenue
113 mi · 44%
State Road 56
16.4 mi · 6%
East 5th Avenue
0.96 mi
East 4th Avenue
0.93 mi
East Hackberry Street
0.93 mi
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

120 mi · 02h 12m

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 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.7 mi
216.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lebanon
02h 06m from Salem
Leave By
8:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Salem and Mostly Sunny near City of Gary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salem to City of Gary?

The road trip is about 257.5 miles (414.4 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.1 miles from Salem and 130.4 miles from City of Gary.

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

The direct path is about 216.8 miles (348.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.24 one way or $68.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Salem and City of Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Salem and Mostly Sunny near City of Gary.

Stop Ideas Near Lebanon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lebanon, 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 Lebanon.

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

37 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

37 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

41 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Lafayette station

55 mi away
200 North 2nd St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and City of Gary. Straight-line distance: 216.79 mi (348.89 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

City in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States

Population6,217
Coordinates38.6056100, -86.1010900
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 City of Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population80,294
Coordinates41.5956000, -87.3452100
Altitude185
CountryUnited States
Start: Westside Road (-86.101283, 38.605609)
End: (-87.34521, 41.5956)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 414 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.08 gal
34.39 L · about $34.24
Round trip
$68.48
18.16 gal · 68.78 L
Estimated CO2
80.7 kg one way
Round trip: 161.4 kg / 356 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.24 $68.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.62 $77.23
Premium $4.65 $42.26 $84.52
Diesel $5.30 $48.16 $96.32

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 26, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Salem, IN and City of Gary, IN. The current time in Salem is 16:36:17, although it is 15:36:17 in City of Gary.

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.