How far is Arlington, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Salem, VA is about 92.8 miles (149.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Salem.
-
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
-
2
Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road
936 ft · 31 sec · North Glebe Road
-
3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
667 ft · 28 sec · Fairfax Drive
-
4
Continue on I 66 Toll West
2423 ft · 1 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway
54 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
1334 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road
1209 ft · 24 sec · Apple Mountain Road
-
9
Turn right onto John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi · 8 min · John Marshall Highway
-
10
Continue on South Street
2815 ft · 2 min · South Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Royal Avenue
1468 ft · 54 sec · South Royal Avenue
-
12
Continue on Stonewall Jackson Highway
22.6 mi · 32 min · Stonewall Jackson Highway
-
13
Take the ramp right toward US 211 West, US 340 South
5.7 mi · 8 min
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington 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.
Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on Custis Memorial Parkway
54 mi · 01h 02m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Salem?
The road trip is about 92.8 miles (149.4 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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 46.4 miles from Arlington and 46.5 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 2:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.99 one way or $25.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington 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 Arlington and Salem. Straight-line distance: 79.47 mi (127.89 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| 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: 149 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.99 | $25.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.53 | $29.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.67 | $31.34 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.45 | $36.89 |
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.