How far is Salem, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Salem, MO to Independence, MO is about 237.5 miles (382.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 00m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Independence.
-
1
Start on East 4th Street
1270 ft · 37 sec · East 4th Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North McArthur Avenue
139 m · 13 sec · North McArthur Avenue
-
3
Continue on West Rolla Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Rolla Street
-
4
Turn right
23.5 mi · 31 min
-
5
Turn right onto Salem Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto Holloway Street
1.4 km · 3 min · Holloway Street
-
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 18th Street
1072 ft · 37 sec · East 18th Street
-
8
Continue on North Walnut Street
747 ft · 30 sec · North Walnut Street
-
9
Turn right onto North Bishop Avenue
12.9 mi · 16 min · North Bishop Avenue
-
10
Continue straight
48.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
1591 ft · 41 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
27.8 mi · 31 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
2021 ft · 43 sec
-
15
Continue straight
1089 ft · 31 sec
-
16
Take the exit left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
2220 ft · 54 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
-
18
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
-
19
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
20
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
-
21
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
22
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
23
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
1110 ft · 24 sec
-
25
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
-
26
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
-
27
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
-
28
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Independence.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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 Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Independence?
The road trip is about 237.5 miles (382.2 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.9 miles from Salem and 118.6 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.60 one way or $63.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salem and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Independence. Straight-line distance: 185.21 mi (298.06 km).
#1 Salem
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,874 |
| Coordinates | 37.6456000, -91.5359800 |
| Altitude | 361 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Kansas Avenue (-94.415514, 39.091027)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.60 | $63.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.64 | $71.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.00 | $78.00 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.45 | $88.90 |
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 Missouri · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.