How far is Alexandria, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Salem, VA is about 243.1 miles (391.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.1 miles (312.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Road in Manhattan, New York City
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost
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.
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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
-
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
-
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
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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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
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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
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15
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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18
Keep slight left
51.5 mi · 57 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward VA 311: Salem
157 m · 13 sec
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20
Keep slight right
129 m · 10 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
-
22
Turn right onto East Main Street
617 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
-
23
Turn right onto North College Avenue
12 m · 2 sec · North College Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North College Avenue
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 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
109 mi · 01h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Alexandria and Patchy Frost 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 243.1 miles (391.3 km) and usually takes 04h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Broadway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Alexandria and 121.6 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.1 miles (312.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 49 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.99 one way or $67.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alexandria and Patchy Frost near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Broadway
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 Broadway.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Cumberland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Salem. Straight-line distance: 194.12 mi (312.4 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-80.05476, 37.29347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.99 | $67.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.00 | $76.00 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.00 | $81.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.25 | $96.51 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.