Origin
Pittsburg, KS
Afternoon in Pittsburg on Thursday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pittsburg, KS to Salem, KS
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
367.8 mi
592 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Good
7 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburg, KS
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, KS
Tien Nguyen
Trip Overview
The drive from Pittsburg, KS to Salem, KS covers 367.8 miles and takes about 7h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 135, US 400, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117.2 miles on I 135. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.9 miles from Pittsburg, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 367.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 9m highway drive covering 367.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 135 and US 400. The longest continuous stretch is about 117.2 miles on I 135.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 135 is the longest continuous segment at about 117.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 135 and US 400. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KS 126 / West 4th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 367.8 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 69; US 160): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KS 126 / West 4th Street
Turn left onto KS 126 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 69; US 160
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
6.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 400
Turn right onto US 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
157.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
8
167.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
KS 96
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96 toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS...
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 Pittsburg, KS to Salem, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Hutchinson along the way.
Hutchinson
167.5 mi in
|
~3h 19m
|
via KS 96
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 135 | 117.2 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 400 | 70.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Gold Road | 36.8 mi | 44m |
| KS 181 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 17.9 mi | 21m |
| KS 96 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Deer Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 135
— 117.2 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, KS and Salem, KS.
1
Start on US 69 Business
66 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto KS 126
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto US 69; US 160
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 69; US 160
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 400
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 400
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 400
170 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 400
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 54; US 77; US 400
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Avenue
9
Continue on US 54; US 400
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
11
Continue on KS 96
10 mi
·
11 min
·
KS 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto KS 96
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
KS 96
Toward I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 135; US 81; KS 15
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 135; US 81; KS 15
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Continue on I 135; US 50; US 81
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 135; US 50; US 81
15
Continue on I 135; US 81
97 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 135; US 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
17
Turn left onto US 24
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Deer Road
18
Continue on US 24
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Dove Road
19
Continue on US 24
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Elk Road
20
Continue on US 24
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Fox Road
21
Continue on US 24
37 mi
·
44 min
·
Gold Road
22
Turn right onto KS 181
19 mi
·
22 min
·
KS 181
23
Continue on US 281
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 281
24
Turn right onto 100 Road
1.5 mi
·
5 min
·
100 Road
25
Turn slight right
2.0 mi
·
7 min
26
Turn right onto 20 Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
20 Road
27
Arrive at destination
20 Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.9 miles from Pittsburg, KS, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.2 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 81 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pittsburg, KS 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pittsburg, KS
This is one driving day of about 367.8 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Pittsburg, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 135 for about 117.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.9 mi from Pittsburg, KS · 3h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.9 miles from Pittsburg, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 135 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.2 miles.
Arriving in Salem, KS
The final approach into Salem, KS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Salem, KS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.50 one way
$115.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $63.13 | $126.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $70.78 | $141.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.21 | $162.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
ChargePoint Charging Station
Pittsburg, Kansas
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Wichita, Kansas
Electrify America
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Wichita, Kansas
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Wichita, Kansas
Rivian
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Pittsburg, Kansas
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
SWTCH Charging Station
Pittsburg, Kansas
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Frontenac, Kansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Electrify America: 1
Rivian: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Other: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.62 | $17.65 |
| Efficient EV | 92 | 1 | $32.18 | $14.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.1 | 1 | $51.49 | $23.54 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Salem, KS
Afternoon in Salem on Thursday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
24 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
7h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pittsburg, KS to Salem, KS covers 367.8 miles and takes about 7h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 135, US 400, Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 183.9 miles from Pittsburg, KS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 367.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (KS 126 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 69; US 160): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (US 400): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pittsburg, KS to Salem, KS, road signs begin pointing toward Hutchinson along the way.
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