How far is Salina, KS from Gardner, KS?

The driving distance from Salina, KS to Gardner, KS is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
168.44 mi
03h 07m
Flight
144.49 mi
232.54 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salina.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.49 mi
Kilometers
232.54 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.44 mi
Kilometers
271.08 km
Drive Time
03h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gardner
Tue, May 12, 10:10 PM CDT
Return by in Salina
Wed, May 13, 1:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salina
2026-05-12T19:02
Arrive Gardner
Tue, May 12, 10:10 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 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
10:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salina
9:00 PM CDT
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
Paxico
KS

City in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States of America

From Salina
84.1 mi
01h 33m
To Gardner
84.4 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph W
Destination
86°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Gardner.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Gardner.

  1. 1

    Start on South 8th Street

    28 m · 9 sec · South 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Iron Avenue

    85 m · 16 sec · West Iron Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 9th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · North 9th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 70 East: Topeka

    1240 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    22.1 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    74.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    14.9 mi · 17 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kansas Turnpike

    14 mi · 14 min · Kansas Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 10: Lecompton, Lawrence

    2307 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Lawrence Trafficway

    7.7 mi · 9 min · South Lawrence Trafficway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1.1 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 1300 Road

    9.3 mi · 11 min · East 1300 Road

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 56: Olathe, Council Grove

    1067 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North 300 Road

    3.5 mi · 4 min · North 300 Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Ames Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Highway 56

    1.5 km · 1 min · Highway 56

  19. 19

    Continue on North 201 Diagonal Road

    1 mi · 1 min · North 201 Diagonal Road

  20. 20

    Continue on North 200 Road

    5 mi · 6 min · North 200 Road

  21. 21

    Continue on 199th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 199th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on West Morgan Street

    6.6 mi · 11 min · West Morgan Street

  23. 23

    Turn right

    19 m · 4 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Gardner.

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
24 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi · 54%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23.2 mi · 14%
Kansas Turnpike
14 mi · 8%
East 1300 Road
9.3 mi · 6%
South Lawrence Trafficway
8.36 mi · 5%
West Morgan Street
6.58 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

74.7 mi · 01h 15m

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
03h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
144.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paxico
01h 33m from Salina
Leave By
10:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Salina and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salina to Gardner?

The road trip is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?

Paxico is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.1 miles from Salina and 84.4 miles from Gardner.

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

The direct path is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 10:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.

Stop Ideas Near Paxico

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Paxico, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Topeka

43 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place
RAIL

Lawrence

81 mi away
413 East 7th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Gardner. Straight-line distance: 144.49 mi (232.54 km).

Salina

#1 Salina

The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.

Population46,274
Coordinates38.8402800, -97.6114200
Altitude373
CountryUnited States
Gardner

#2 Gardner

City in Kansas, United States

Population2,941
Coordinates38.8108400, -94.9271900
Altitude323
CountryUnited States
Start: Salina (-97.61142, 38.84028)
End: Gardner (-94.92719, 38.81084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.94 gal
22.5 L · about $22.40
Round trip
$44.80
11.88 gal · 45 L
Estimated CO2
52.8 kg one way
Round trip: 105.6 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.40 $44.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.26 $50.53
Premium $4.65 $27.64 $55.29
Diesel $5.30 $31.51 $63.01

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 Kansas · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Salina and Gardner. The current time is 19:02:58.

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.