How far is Salem, IN from Portage, IN?
The driving distance from Salem, IN to Portage, IN is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.9 miles (292.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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 03h 58m.
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.
Town in Perry Township, Clinton County, Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Portage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Portage.
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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
16.5 mi · 25 min · West 3rd Street
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11
Continue on West 2nd Street
1249 ft · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
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12
Turn slight right onto West 3rd Street
1802 ft · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
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13
Continue on United States Highway 52
17.9 mi · 27 min · United States Highway 52
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street
48 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
14.3 mi · 22 min · East Main Street
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16
Turn left onto I 465 North, US 52 West
2134 ft · 52 sec
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17
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 11 min
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18
Keep slight left
1477 ft · 20 sec
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19
Continue on I-465 WB
1.3 km · 57 sec · I-465 WB
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20
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 13 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 865 West: Chicago
5 mi · 6 min
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22
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
1281 ft · 16 sec
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24
Keep slight left
786 ft · 10 sec
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25
Merge slight left
117.5 mi · 2 hr 8 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
1.4 km · 1 min
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Central Avenue
1760 ft · 38 sec
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28
Turn right onto Central Avenue
4.3 mi · 9 min · Central Avenue
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29
Continue on Central Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Portage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 52 West
Merge slight left
118 mi · 02h 08m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Salem and Mostly Sunny near Portage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Portage?
The road trip is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
Colfax is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.5 miles from Salem and 129.9 miles from Portage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.9 miles (292.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.4 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 9:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.51 one way or $65.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Salem and Portage, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Salem and Mostly Sunny near Portage.
Stop Ideas Near Colfax
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Darlington Municipal Utilities
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colfax.
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Lafayette station
Indianapolis Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Portage. Straight-line distance: 181.89 mi (292.73 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 Portage
The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.
| Population | 90,543 |
| Coordinates | 41.5758700, -87.1761500 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.51 | $65.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.66 | $73.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.12 | $80.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.72 | $91.44 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.