How far is Bristol, CT from Salem, CT?
The driving distance from Bristol, CT to Salem, CT is about 46.8 miles (75.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37 miles (59.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m 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 01h 05m.
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.
Census-designated place in Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Salem.
-
1
Start on West Street
22 m · 8 sec · West Street
-
2
Turn right onto School Street
1910 ft · 35 sec · School Street
-
3
Turn left onto Main Street
84 m · 8 sec · Main Street
-
4
Turn right onto Riverside Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Avenue
-
5
Turn left onto Pine Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · Pine Street
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on CT 72 East: New Britain
2.9 mi · 4 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on CT 9 North: Newington
2899 ft · 56 sec
-
8
Merge slight right
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CT 175: Newington
1137 ft · 35 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Cedar Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Cedar Street
-
11
Continue on Wells Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Wells Road
-
12
Turn right onto Spring Street
2720 ft · 1 min · Spring Street
-
13
Turn left onto Maple Street
3 mi · 4 min · Maple Street
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on CT 2 East: Norwich
1622 ft · 34 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
2125 ft · 33 sec
-
16
Keep slight right
19.3 mi · 22 min
-
17
Keep slight right
1565 ft · 21 sec
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward CT 85, CT 354: Lake Hayward Road
1410 ft · 45 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Lake Hayward Road
1608 ft · 35 sec · Lake Hayward Road
-
20
Turn right onto New London Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · New London Road
-
21
Continue on Hartford Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Hartford Road
-
22
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Salem.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
CT 2 East
Keep slight right
19.3 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Sunny leaving Bristol and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Salem?
The road trip is about 46.8 miles (75.3 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Glastonbury Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Bristol and 23.5 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37 miles (59.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.26 one way or $14.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bristol and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Glastonbury Center
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 Glastonbury Center.
Hartford Union Station
Berlin
Windsor station
Windsor Locks
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Salem. Straight-line distance: 37.02 mi (59.57 km).
#1 Bristol
The most populous city in Hartford County, Connecticut.
| Population | 59,734 |
| Coordinates | 41.6717600, -72.9492700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
Town in New London County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 4,083 |
| Coordinates | 41.4903800, -72.2753600 |
| Altitude | 107 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-72.27536, 41.49038)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.40 | $7.26 | $14.51 |
| Mid-grade | $5.02 | $8.28 | $16.56 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $8.98 | $17.97 |
| Diesel | $6.45 | $10.65 | $21.29 |
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 Connecticut · Oct 15, 2026