How far is Alexandria, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Salem, VA is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 13m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Salem.
-
1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
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3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
-
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
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7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left
51.1 mi · 58 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
1334 ft · 38 sec
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17
Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road
1209 ft · 24 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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18
Turn right onto John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi · 8 min · John Marshall Highway
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19
Continue on South Street
2815 ft · 2 min · South Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Royal Avenue
1468 ft · 54 sec · South Royal Avenue
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21
Continue on Stonewall Jackson Highway
22.6 mi · 32 min · Stonewall Jackson Highway
-
22
Take the ramp right toward US 211 West, US 340 South
5.7 mi · 8 min
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 66 West
Merge slight left
51.1 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Alexandria and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Salem?
The road trip is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?
The Plains is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Alexandria and 50.9 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.1 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.22 one way or $28.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Alexandria and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near The Plains
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to The Plains.
Manassas station
Burke Centre
Culpeper station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Salem. Straight-line distance: 81.66 mi (131.42 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-78.54779, 38.64429)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 164 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.22 | $28.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.90 | $31.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.15 | $34.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.19 | $40.38 |
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 Virginia · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.