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

The driving distance from Salem, IN to City of Gary, IN is about 241.7 miles (388.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.8 miles (303.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 01m 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
241.63 mi
04h 00m
Flight
188.84 mi
303.91 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
188.84 mi
Kilometers
303.91 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
241.63 mi
Kilometers
388.87 km
Drive Time
04h 00m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in City of Gary
Fri, Oct 16, 2:35 AM CDT
Return by in Salem
Fri, Oct 16, 7:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-10-15T23:34
Arrive City of Gary
Fri, Oct 16, 3:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 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
8:58 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
Thorntown
IN

City in Boone County, Indiana, United States of America

From Salem
113.6 mi
02h 00m
To City of Gary
128 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
64°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

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 County Road 250 South

    2 m · 2 sec · County Road 250 South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto County Road 200 East

    2882 ft · 2 min · County Road 200 East

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto South Salem Road

    3005 ft · 2 min · South Salem Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Liberty Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on College Corner Avenue

    1588 ft · 21 sec · College Corner Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn slight left onto East Seminary Street

    1526 ft · 24 sec · East Seminary Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    101 m · 11 sec · South Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Union Street

    11.5 mi · 17 min · West Union Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Eastern Avenue

    834 ft · 16 sec · North Eastern Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    16.5 mi · 25 min · West 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Continue on West 2nd Street

    1249 ft · 21 sec · West 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto West 3rd Street

    1802 ft · 30 sec · West 3rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on United States Highway 52

    17.9 mi · 27 min · United States Highway 52

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street

    48 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street

    14.3 mi · 22 min · East Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto I 465 North, US 52 West

    2134 ft · 52 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    1477 ft · 20 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on I-465 WB

    1.3 km · 57 sec · I-465 WB

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 865 West: Chicago

    5 mi · 6 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    120.1 mi · 2 hr 12 min

  26. 26

    Turn left onto East 5th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · East 5th Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on East 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · East 4th Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    2662 ft · 1 min · Madison Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto West 8th Avenue

    875 ft · 31 sec · West 8th Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn left

    104 m · 25 sec

  31. 31

    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

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
120 mi · 50%
United States Highway 52
17.9 mi · 7%
I 865 West
17.2 mi · 7%
West 3rd Street
16.8 mi · 7%
East Main Street
14.4 mi · 6%
I-465 WB
11.7 mi · 5%
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 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.9 mi
188.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorntown
02h 00m from Salem
Leave By
8:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Salem and Rain Showers 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 241.7 miles (388.9 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?

Thorntown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.6 miles from Salem and 128 miles from City of Gary.

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

The direct path is about 188.8 miles (303.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.9 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 8:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.94 one way or $65.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.8 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 Mostly Cloudy around Salem and Rain Showers near City of Gary.

Stop Ideas Near Thorntown

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 Thorntown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 11.8 mi away

Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities

Mulberry , IN
123 S Glick St, Mulberry, IN 46058, United States
Park,Municipal corporation,City or town hall,Public library,Water works
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

Darlington Municipal Utilities

Darlington , IN
222 W Main St, Darlington, IN 47940
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

26 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

27 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

41 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

56 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and City of Gary. Straight-line distance: 188.84 mi (303.91 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

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

Population6,236
Coordinates39.5964400, -84.8902400
Altitude318
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: County Road 250 South (-84.890238, 39.596616)
End: (-87.34521, 41.5956)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 389 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.53 gal
32.28 L · about $32.94
Round trip
$65.89
17.06 gal · 64.56 L
Estimated CO2
75.8 kg one way
Round trip: 151.6 kg / 334 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.86 $32.94 $65.89
Mid-grade $4.46 $38.00 $76.00
Premium $4.99 $42.55 $85.10
Diesel $6.62 $56.48 $112.95

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 · Oct 15, 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 23:34:08, although it is 22:34:08 in City of Gary.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.