How far is Charlottesville, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Salem, VA is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m 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 24m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Salem.
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1
Start on the route
71 m · 23 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Market Street
55 m · 10 sec · East Market Street
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3
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
587 ft · 31 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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4
Turn left onto East High Street
96 m · 15 sec · East High Street
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5
Turn right onto Park Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Park Street
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6
Turn left
77 m · 7 sec
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7
Take the ramp straight toward US 250 West
43 m · 4 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto U.S. 250 Bypass
1.5 mi · 3 min · U.S. 250 Bypass
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9
Turn right onto Hydraulic Road
1341 ft · 34 sec · Hydraulic Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hydraulic Road
29 m · 3 sec · Hydraulic Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Hydraulic Road
865 ft · 23 sec · Hydraulic Road
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12
Turn right onto Seminole Trail
13.6 mi · 21 min · Seminole Trail
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13
Turn left onto Spotswood Trail
4.8 mi · 7 min · Spotswood Trail
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14
Continue on Stanardsville By-Pass
2.2 mi · 3 min · Stanardsville By-Pass
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15
Continue on Spotswood Trail
13.4 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail
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16
Take the exit slight right
820 ft · 23 sec
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17
Keep slight right
111 m · 12 sec
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18
Continue on South Stuart Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · South Stuart Avenue
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19
Continue on North East Side Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North East Side Highway
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20
Continue on South Third Street
1378 ft · 23 sec · South Third Street
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21
Continue on 3rd Street
642 ft · 18 sec · 3rd Street
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22
Continue on 4th Street
11.4 mi · 17 min · 4th Street
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23
Turn right
2 mi · 3 min
-
24
Turn left onto Egypt Bend Road
62 m · 12 sec · Egypt Bend Road
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25
Turn sharp right
58 m · 15 sec
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26
Turn uturn
68 m · 11 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville 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.
Seminole Trail
Turn right onto Seminole Trail
13.6 mi · 00h 21m
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 Clear leaving Charlottesville and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Salem?
The road trip is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Stanardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from Charlottesville and 28 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 3:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.84 one way or $15.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Charlottesville and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Stanardsville
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 Stanardsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Salem. Straight-line distance: 42.66 mi (68.66 km).
#1 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 90 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.84 | $15.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.77 | $17.54 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.14 | $22.27 |
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.