This 120.9-mile drive from Kokomo, IN to Salem, IN is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The route primarily utilizes East 29th Street and US 35, with a modest 12% share of highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this journey offers a straightforward way to travel within the Midwest region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a high-speed transit. It's a perfect option if you're looking for a relatively quick and budget-friendly excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.5 miles from Kokomo, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East 29th Street
33.8 mi
38m
US 35
14.6 mi
16m
North 8th Street
14.5 mi
20m
East 600 North
10 mi
14m
North County Road 100 East
8.7 mi
12m
West 500 S
8 mi
11m
East 00 N
5 mi
7m
County Road East 00 North South
4.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
East 29th Street
— 33.8 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kokomo, IN and Salem, IN.
1
Start on West Sycamore Street
21 ft·7 sec·West Sycamore Street
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
3
Turn left onto West Markland Avenue
2.4 mi·3 min·West Markland Avenue
4
Continue on SR 22
1.4 mi·2 min·East County Road 00 North South
5
Continue on US 35; SR 22
4.7 mi·6 min·County Road East 00 North South
6
Continue on US 35; SR 19; SR 22
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 35; SR 19; SR 22
5.0 mi·7 min·East 00 N
8
Continue on US 35; SR 19; SR 22
2.0 mi·2 min·West 500 South
9
Continue on US 35; SR 22
8.0 mi·11 min·West 500 S
10
Continue on US 35; SR 22
3.2 mi·4 min·East Hi Way Drive
11
Continue on US 35; SR 22
2.1 mi·3 min·East Main Street
12
Continue on US 35; SR 22
1.4 mi·2 min·East 500 South
13
Take the ramp onto US 35
14 mi·15 min·US 35
14
Take the exit onto US 35
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 35
Exit 245Toward US 35 South, SR 28: Alexandria, Albany
15
Turn left onto US 35; SR 28
0.1 mi·10 sec·East County Road 600 North
16
Continue on US 35; SR 28
10.0 mi·14 min·East 600 North
17
Turn right onto US 35; SR 3
8.7 mi·12 min·North County Road 100 East
18
Take the exit onto US 35
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 35
Toward US 35: Richmond, Muncie
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 35
34 mi·38 min·East 29th Street
20
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Pike
1.6 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Pike
21
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 5th Street
22
Turn left onto Richmond Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Richmond Avenue
23
Continue on North D Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·North D Street
24
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227
150 ft·1 sec·Chester Boulevard
25
Continue on US 27; SR 227
14 mi·20 min·North 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto US 27; SR 44
0.3 mi·19 sec·West Seminary Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn slight right onto US 27; SR 44
0.3 mi·20 sec·College Corner Avenue
28
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Liberty Avenue
29
Turn right onto South Salem Road
0.6 mi·2 min·South Salem Road
30
Turn slight left onto County Road 200 East
0.5 mi·2 min·County Road 200 East
31
At end of road, turn left onto County Road 250 South
7 ft·0 sec·County Road 250 South
32
Arrive at destination
County Road 250 South
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 45-minute duration and 120.9-mile distance, this trip is best completed in a single day. With only one recommended stop and a $19 fuel cost, planning is straightforward. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the frequent turns and to enjoy the local character of the drive. The longest stretch without a turn is 33.8 miles on East 29th Street, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach that point. Flexibility is key on this route, so don't hesitate to adjust your timing based on local traffic.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.5 miles from Kokomo, IN, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.5 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kokomo, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kokomo, IN
This is one driving day of about 120.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Kokomo, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East 29th Street for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 117.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Washington Street
Turn left onto South Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
45.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 35
Take the exit onto US 35 toward US 35 South, SR 28: Alexandria, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 245
Toward US 35 South, SR 28: Alexandria, Albany
5
46.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 35; SR 28 / East County Road 600 North
Turn left onto US 35; SR 28 / East County Road 600 North
Navigation decision point
5
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 35
Take the exit onto US 35 toward US 35: Richmond, Muncie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 35: Richmond, Muncie
6
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 27; SR 44 / West Seminary Street
Turn left onto US 27; SR 44 / West Seminary Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.90 one way
$37.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.75
$41.51
premium
$4.89
$23.27
$46.53
diesel
$5.61
$26.69
$53.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.3
0
$12.69
$5.80
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.58
$4.84
EV Truck/SUV
48.4
0
$16.93
$7.74
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kokomo, IN
Morning
in Kokomo on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, IN
Morning
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" on this route, which means you'll be navigating more local roads and intersections than open highway. Only 12% of the journey is on highways, so much of your time will be spent on surface streets and two-lane roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.8 miles on East 29th Street, providing a brief period of consistent travel before the turns resume. This driving profile suggests a steady pace with frequent adjustments rather than a long, fast cruise.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on East 29th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Washington Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 45m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 45.8 miles (US 35): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 miles (US 35; SR 28 / East County Road 600 North): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kokomo, IN and Salem, IN, road signs point toward Albany and Muncie.
Albany
45.8 mi in|~1h 4m|via US 35
Muncie
64.9 mi in|~1h 31m|via US 35
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 120.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on East 29th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 45.8 miles (US 35): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 miles (US 35; SR 28 / East County Road 600 North): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salem, IN before heading back.
