How far is Shawnee, KS from Salem, KS?

The driving distance from Shawnee, KS to Salem, KS is about 265.6 miles (427.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 208.8 miles (336.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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
265.65 mi
05h 20m
Flight
208.82 mi
336.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Shawnee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
208.82 mi
Kilometers
336.07 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
265.65 mi
Kilometers
427.52 km
Drive Time
05h 20m

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 05h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Salem
Fri, Nov 6, 8:26 PM CST
Return by in Shawnee
Sat, Nov 7, 1:47 AM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Shawnee
2026-11-06T15:05
Arrive Salem
Fri, Nov 6, 8:26 PM CST
Route Timing
05h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:21 AM to 1:21 PM CST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:18 AM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Shawnee
9:00 PM CST
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
Riley
KS

City in Riley County, Kansas, United States

From Shawnee
132.6 mi
02h 40m
To Salem
133 mi
02h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Friday

Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
7 mph N
Destination
52°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Shawnee and Salem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee and Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on Bond Street

    948 ft · 44 sec · Bond Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 49th Terrace

    782 ft · 34 sec · West 49th Terrace

  3. 3

    Continue on Garnett Street

    705 ft · 33 sec · Garnett Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West 51st Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West 51st Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Quivira Drive

    1.1 km · 1 min · Quivira Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Quivira Lane

    1.3 km · 2 min · Quivira Lane

  7. 7

    Turn right

    17 m · 7 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Holliday Drive

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Holliday Drive

  9. 9

    Turn left onto I 435 North

    1903 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Topeka, Kansas Turnpike

    1593 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

    43.9 mi · 44 min · Kansas Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike

    1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike

  14. 14

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    52.4 mi · 55 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Manhattan, Council Grove

    880 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    8.3 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit straight toward KS 18, KS 177, Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Fort Riley Boulevard

    938 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on Fort Riley Boulevard

    1241 ft · 40 sec · Fort Riley Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    5.7 mi · 9 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    71 m · 3 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  21. 21

    Exit the rotary onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    1.5 km · 1 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    49 m · 2 sec · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard

    8.6 mi · 10 min · Tuttle Creek Boulevard

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Madison Road

    9.1 mi · 11 min · Madison Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Cavalry Road

    4 mi · 5 min · Cavalry Road

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Barton Road

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Barton Road

  27. 27

    Continue on 18th Road

    7.8 mi · 9 min · 18th Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Crawford Street

    2.2 mi · 5 min · Crawford Street

  29. 29

    Continue on 18th Road

    11.8 mi · 14 min · 18th Road

  30. 30

    Continue on Eagle Road

    24.2 mi · 28 min · Eagle Road

  31. 31

    Continue on Dove Road

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Dove Road

  32. 32

    Continue on Elk Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Elk Road

  33. 33

    Continue on Fox Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Fox Road

  34. 34

    Continue on Gold Road

    36.8 mi · 45 min · Gold Road

  35. 35

    Turn right

    19.2 mi · 22 min

  36. 36

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  37. 37

    Turn right onto 100 Road

    1.5 mi · 6 min · 100 Road

  38. 38

    Turn slight right

    2 mi · 8 min

  39. 39

    Turn right onto 20 Road

    2927 ft · 2 min · 20 Road

  40. 40

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 20 Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
40 steps
21 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
52.4 mi · 20%
Kansas Turnpike
44.9 mi · 17%
Gold Road
43.1 mi · 16%
Eagle Road
24.2 mi · 9%
18th Road
19.7 mi · 7%
Tuttle Creek Boulevard
15.2 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

52.4 mi · 00h 55m

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
05h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+56.8 mi
208.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Riley
02h 40m from Shawnee
Leave By
6:18 AM CST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy leaving Shawnee and Partly Sunny near Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Shawnee to Salem?

The road trip is about 265.6 miles (427.5 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?

Riley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.6 miles from Shawnee and 133 miles from Salem.

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

The direct path is about 208.8 miles (336.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.8 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:18 AM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.81 one way or $71.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy around Shawnee and Partly Sunny near Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Riley

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 Riley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 12.8 mi away

City of Olsburg

Riley
City clerk's office,City government office,Service establishment
Riley City Clerk
Meeting point 2.4 mi away

Riley City Clerk

Riley , KS
222 S Broadway St, Riley, KS 66531
Rating 2.5/5 4 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

City Park S

Manhattan , KS
Manhattan, KS 66502
Bus stop

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Topeka

104 mi away
500 SE Holliday Place

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Shawnee and Salem. Straight-line distance: 208.82 mi (336.07 km).

Shawnee

#1 Shawnee

The most populous city in Johnson County, Kansas.

Population66,298
Coordinates39.0416700, -94.7202400
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Salem

City (possibly historical)

Population305
Coordinates39.8716800, -98.4845000
Altitude543
CountryUnited States
Start: Shawnee (-94.72024, 39.04167)
End: Salem (-98.4845, 39.87168)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 428 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.37 gal
35.48 L · about $35.81
Round trip
$71.62
18.74 gal · 70.96 L
Estimated CO2
83.3 kg one way
Round trip: 166.5 kg / 367 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.82 $35.81 $71.62
Mid-grade $4.19 $39.25 $78.50
Premium $4.55 $42.67 $85.34
Diesel $5.92 $55.48 $110.96

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Shawnee and Salem. The current time is 15:05:27.

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.