How far is Salem, OR from Independence, OR?

The driving distance from Salem, OR to Independence, OR is about 12.5 miles (20.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
12.51 mi
00h 19m
Flight
9.76 mi
15.7 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.76 mi
Kilometers
15.7 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
12.51 mi
Kilometers
20.14 km
Drive Time
00h 19m

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 00h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Independence
Wed, Apr 22, 10:41 PM PDT
Return by in Salem
Wed, Apr 22, 11:00 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-04-22T22:22
Arrive Independence
Wed, Apr 22, 10:41 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:19 AM to 7:19 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:52 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Salem
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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
Monmouth
OR

City in Oregon, USA

From Salem
6.3 mi
00h 09m
To Independence
6.3 mi
00h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW
Destination
57°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW

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. 1

    Start on High Street Northeast

    143 m · 19 sec · High Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast

    1336 ft · 54 sec · Chemeketa Street Northeast

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast

    128 m · 10 sec · Front Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward Marion Street Bridge

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Independence Highway

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Independence Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Monmouth Street

    571 ft · 12 sec · Monmouth Street

  8. 8

    Turn right

    8 m · 2 sec

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Independence.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
9 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
72 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Marion Street Bridge
5.62 mi · 45%
Independence Highway
5.48 mi · 44%
North Main Street
0.88 mi · 7%
Chemeketa Street Northeast
0.25 mi · 2%
Monmouth Street
0.11 mi · 1%
High Street Northeast
0.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Marion Street Bridge

Take the exit slight right toward Marion Street Bridge

5.62 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 19m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.7 mi
9.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monmouth
00h 09m from Salem
Leave By
7:52 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Salem and Light Rain Likely 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 12.5 miles (20.1 km) and usually takes 00h 19m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Monmouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from Salem and 6.3 miles from Independence.

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

The direct path is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.18 one way or $4.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Salem and Light Rain Likely near Independence.

Stop Ideas Near Monmouth

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Monmouth and the surrounding midpoint area.
Salem city park
Scenic stop 8.5 mi away

Salem city park

Brooks , OR
Brooks, OR 97305, United States
Rating 4.0/5 5 reviews Park
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 5.1 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , OR
555 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301, United States
Rating 3.2/5 6 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 7.6 mi away

Council Chambers City of Keizer

Keizer , OR
930 Chemawa Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303, United States
Rating 4.3/5 4 reviews Civic center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Monmouth.

RAIL

Salem station

19 mi away
500 13th Street SE
RAIL

Albany station

26 mi away
110 10th Ave SW
BUS

Corvallis, Oregon

32 mi away
153 NW 4th Avenue
BUS

Woodburn, OR

44 mi away
2900 Tom Tennant Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Independence. Straight-line distance: 9.76 mi (15.7 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

The capital of Oregon.

Population175,891
Coordinates44.9429000, -123.0351000
Altitude49
CountryUnited States
Independence

#2 Independence

City in Oregon, USA

Population10,871
Coordinates44.8512300, -123.1867700
Altitude51
CountryUnited States
Start: Salem (-123.0351, 44.9429)
End: Independence (-123.18677, 44.85123)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 20 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.44 gal
1.67 L · about $2.18
Round trip
$4.36
0.88 gal · 3.34 L
Estimated CO2
3.9 kg one way
Round trip: 7.8 kg / 17 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $2.18 $4.36
Mid-grade $5.34 $2.35 $4.70
Premium $5.57 $2.45 $4.90
Diesel $6.37 $2.80 $5.60

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 Oregon · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Salem and Independence. The current time is 22:22:04.

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.