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Trip from Salem, IN to Terre Haute, IN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

117.2 mi

189 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 33m ★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Salem, IN, IN

Salem, IN

Banx Photography

city and county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States

Terre Haute, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Salem, IN, to Terre Haute, IN, covers 117.2 miles and will take approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $18. The route is characterized by a mixed driving profile, offering a blend of experiences as you travel through the Midwest. With only one recommended stop, you'll find this trip straightforward and efficient, making it an ideal option for a quick getaway or an intermediate leg of a larger adventure.

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

58.6 miles from Salem, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
SR 37 29.1 mi 35m
SR 60 21.8 mi 32m
West State Road 46 20.4 mi 29m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 15.2 mi 16m
State Road 46 7.8 mi 11m
I 69 5.7 mi 6m
SR 59 5.1 mi 7m
SR 45 4.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: SR 37 — 29.1 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem, IN and Terre Haute, IN.

1

Start on Westside Road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Westside Road
2

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto SR 56; SR 60

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Hackberry Street
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on SR 56; SR 60

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Mulberry Street
5

Turn right onto SR 60

22 mi · 32 min · SR 60
6

Turn right onto SR 37; SR 60

14 mi · 15 min · SR 37; SR 60
7

Continue on SR 37; SR 58

15 mi · 19 min · SR 37; SR 58
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Merge onto I 69

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 69
Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward SR 46 West: Ellettsville, Spencer
10

Merge onto SR 45; SR 46

4.6 mi · 8 min · SR 45; SR 46
11

Turn slight right onto SR 46

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Merge onto SR 46

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West Temperance Street
13

Continue on SR 46

7.8 mi · 11 min · State Road 46
14

Continue on SR 46

1.2 mi · 3 min · East Morgan Street
15

Turn right onto SR 46

20 mi · 29 min · West State Road 46
16

Turn right onto SR 59

5.1 mi · 7 min · SR 59
17

Turn left

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Use the left lane.
18

Merge onto I 70

15 mi · 16 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 7 Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
20

Turn right onto US 41; US 150

2.4 mi · 5 min · South 3rd Street
21

Arrive at destination

US 41; US 150

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 2-hour, 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic. With only one stop suggested, you have the flexibility to plan your break strategically, perhaps around the 29.1-mile mark on SR 37. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18 for the entire trip. Given its manageable length, this route allows for a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.

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 58.6 miles from Salem, IN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.1 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 26 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.6 miles or 1h 18m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, IN

This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Salem, 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 SR 37 for about 29.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Ellettsville, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellettsville, IN

59 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Bedford, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Salem, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Thai Lotus Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Salem, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18125860428

Visit website

Raquel's Restaurant & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Salem, Indiana

0.1 mi

El Camino's

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Salem, Indiana

0.2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Loose Goose Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Terre Haute, Indiana

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18129173863

Visit website

Thai Lotus Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Salem, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18125860428

Visit website

Raquel's Restaurant & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Salem, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+18124044343

Visit website

El Camino's

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Salem, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18125860199

Visit website

Cackleberries

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18122320000

Visit website

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Bedford, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18122750311

Visit website

Mamma Rosa's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Salem, Indiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18128836296

Visit website

Domino's Pizza

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18122328133

Visit website

Family Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Brazil, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18124430323

Visit website

Loose Goose Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18129173863

Visit website

Bear’s Coffee and Roasting Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18129172268

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVBOLT Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Indiana

+18665212658

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+33172676914

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tumbleweed Tex-Mex Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Salem, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18124044212

Visit website

The Bouncin Barn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Terre Haute, Indiana

Hours: Closed

+18122995867

Visit website

Bluespring Caverns Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Bedford, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18122799471

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 114.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 56; SR 60 / West Hackberry Street

Turn left onto SR 56; SR 60 / West Hackberry Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
52.7 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | I 69

Merge onto I 69

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
58.3 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward SR 46 West: Ellettsville, Spencer

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SR 46 West: Ellettsville, Spencer
6
99.1 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
114.6 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Take the exit toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 7 Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.32 one way

$36.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.12 $40.24
premium $4.89 $22.55 $45.11
diesel $5.61 $25.88 $51.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.2 0 $12.31 $5.63
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.25 $4.69
EV Truck/SUV 46.9 0 $16.41 $7.50

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Salem, IN

Morning in Salem on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, IN

Morning in Terre Haute on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

WSW 12 mph 6% chance 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

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 43m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a varied experience, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate a mix of road types, including stretches on SR 37, SR 60, and West State Road 46. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 29.1 miles on SR 37, providing a solid stretch of consistent travel. Expect the road's personality to shift, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more local road characteristics as you progress toward Terre Haute.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.1 mi on SR 37.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near SR 56; SR 60 / West Hackberry Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (SR 56; SR 60 / West Hackberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Salem, IN to Terre Haute, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Spencer along the way.

Spencer

58.3 mi in | ~1h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.1 miles on SR 37. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Terre Haute, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (SR 56; SR 60 / West Hackberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Terre Haute, IN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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