How far is Salem, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Salem, IN to Gary, IN is about 255.9 miles (411.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 04h 10m.
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 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 Salem and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Gary.
-
1
Start on Westside Road
720 ft · 21 sec · Westside Road
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
951 ft · 23 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto East Hackberry Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Hackberry Street
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4
Continue on State Road 56
16.4 mi · 24 min · State Road 56
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5
Continue on West Mount Drive
906 ft · 15 sec · West Mount Drive
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6
Continue on West McClain Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · West McClain Avenue
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7
Turn left
1073 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left
82.2 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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9
Keep slight right
29.8 mi · 36 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
1281 ft · 16 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
786 ft · 10 sec
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12
Merge slight left
116.8 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street
1831 ft · 45 sec
-
16
Keep slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard
-
20
Turn right onto 10th Place
77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Gary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 52 West
Merge slight left
117 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving Salem and Mostly Sunny near Gary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Gary?
The road trip is about 255.9 miles (411.8 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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 126.8 miles from Salem and 129.1 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.05 one way or $68.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Salem and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salem and Mostly Sunny near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
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 Lebanon.
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Indianapolis Union Station
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Gary. Straight-line distance: 216.67 mi (348.69 km).
#1 Salem
City in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 6,217 |
| Coordinates | 38.6056100, -86.1010900 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gary
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
| Population | 74,693 |
| Coordinates | 41.5933700, -87.3464300 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.05 | $68.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.40 | $76.81 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.03 | $84.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.90 | $95.79 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.