How far is Salem, IN from Indianapolis, IN?
The driving distance from Salem, IN to Indianapolis, IN is about 81.5 miles (131.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Indianapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Indianapolis.
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1
Start on County Road 250 South
2 m · 2 sec · County Road 250 South
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2
Turn right onto County Road 200 East
2882 ft · 2 min · County Road 200 East
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3
Turn straight onto South Salem Road
3005 ft · 2 min · South Salem Road
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4
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
2.1 mi · 2 min · Liberty Avenue
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5
Continue on College Corner Avenue
1588 ft · 21 sec · College Corner Avenue
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6
Turn slight left onto East Seminary Street
1526 ft · 24 sec · East Seminary Street
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7
Turn right onto South Main Street
101 m · 11 sec · South Main Street
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8
Turn left onto West Union Street
11.5 mi · 17 min · West Union Street
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9
Turn left onto North Eastern Avenue
834 ft · 16 sec · North Eastern Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
16.4 mi · 25 min · West 3rd Street
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11
Turn left onto North Perkins Street
69 m · 6 sec · North Perkins Street
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12
Turn right onto East 1st Street
16.8 mi · 25 min · East 1st Street
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13
Take the ramp left toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
756 ft · 18 sec
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14
Merge slight left
21.6 mi · 23 min
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15
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
1.2 mi · 1 min
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16
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Southeastern Avenue
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Southeastern Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · Southeastern Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Southeastern Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southeastern Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East Washington Street
1 mi · 3 min · East Washington Street
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20
Turn right onto North Illinois Street
536 ft · 22 sec · North Illinois Street
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21
Turn right onto West Market Street
107 m · 16 sec · West Market Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn right
78 m · 28 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Indianapolis.
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.
I 74 West
Merge slight left
21.6 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Salem and Chance Rain Showers near Indianapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Indianapolis?
The road trip is about 81.5 miles (131.2 km) and usually takes 01h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rushville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Salem and 42.5 miles from Indianapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.5 miles (110.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.86 one way or $21.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Salem and Chance Rain Showers near Indianapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Rushville
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 Rushville.
Connersville station
Indianapolis Union Station
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Indianapolis. Straight-line distance: 68.45 mi (110.16 km).
#1 Salem
City in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 6,236 |
| Coordinates | 39.5964400, -84.8902400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Indianapolis
The sixteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
| Population | 877,903 |
| Coordinates | 39.7683800, -86.1580400 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: Monument Circle (-86.158009, 39.768033)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 131 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.86 | $21.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.25 | $24.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.40 | $26.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.28 | $30.55 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.