How far is Valley Center, KS from Salina, KS?

The driving distance from Valley Center, KS to Salina, KS is about 81.5 miles (131.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
81.44 mi
01h 17m
Flight
70.66 mi
113.72 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Valley Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
70.66 mi
Kilometers
113.72 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.44 mi
Kilometers
131.06 km
Drive Time
01h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Salina
Sun, May 31, 4:17 AM CDT
Return by in Valley Center
Sun, May 31, 5:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Valley Center
2026-05-31T03:00
Arrive Salina
Sun, May 31, 4:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Valley Center
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
McPherson
KS

City in Kansas, United States

From Valley Center
40.6 mi
00h 38m
To Salina
40.8 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph S
Destination
91°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Valley Center and Salina.

  1. 1

    Start on North Park Avenue

    13 m · 4 sec · North Park Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    110 m · 21 sec · West 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Meridian Street

    1704 ft · 38 sec · North Meridian Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East 5th Street

    2230 ft · 1 min · East 5th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West 85th Street North

    2.1 mi · 5 min · West 85th Street North

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    947 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    60.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 140

    815 ft · 21 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West State Street

    2107 ft · 40 sec · West State Street

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    131 m · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto West State Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · West State Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North College Avenue

    116 m · 16 sec · North College Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Iron Avenue

    2400 ft · 1 min · West Iron Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South 8th Street

    28 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 85th Street North
78.4 mi · 96%
West State Street
1.39 mi · 2%
West Iron Avenue
0.45 mi · 1%
East 5th Street
0.42 mi · 1%
North Meridian Street
0.32 mi
KS 140
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

West 85th Street North

Continue straight

60.7 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
70.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McPherson
00h 38m from Valley Center
Leave By
3:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Valley Center and Mostly Sunny near Salina.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Valley Center to Salina?

The road trip is about 81.5 miles (131.1 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?

McPherson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.6 miles from Valley Center and 40.8 miles from Salina.

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

The direct path is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.82 one way or $21.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Valley Center and Mostly Sunny near Salina.

Stop Ideas Near McPherson

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around McPherson, 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 McPherson.

RAIL

Hutchinson

42 mi away
North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave
RAIL

Newton

46 mi away
414 North Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Valley Center and Salina. Straight-line distance: 70.66 mi (113.72 km).

Valley Center

#1 Valley Center

Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas

Population7,385
Coordinates37.8347300, -97.3733800
Altitude410
CountryUnited States
Salina

#2 Salina

The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.

Population46,274
Coordinates38.8402800, -97.6114200
Altitude373
CountryUnited States
Start: North Park Avenue (-97.373259, 37.834731)
End: South 8th Street (-97.611466, 38.840281)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
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 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.88 L · about $10.82
Round trip
$21.65
5.74 gal · 21.76 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.82 $21.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.21 $24.41
Premium $4.65 $13.36 $26.71
Diesel $5.30 $15.22 $30.44

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 Kansas · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Valley Center and Salina. The current time is 03:00:07.

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.