How far is Charlottesville, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Salem, VA is about 119.6 miles (192.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 32m 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 16m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Patchy Frost
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 · 19 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Market Street
75 m · 15 sec · East Market Street
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3
Turn right onto 9th Street Northeast
55 m · 6 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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4
Continue on 9th Street Southeast
669 ft · 11 sec · 9th Street Southeast
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5
Continue on Avon Street
1400 ft · 54 sec · Avon Street
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6
Turn left onto Monticello Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue
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7
Take the ramp straight
1818 ft · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left
64.4 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
51.5 mi · 57 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 311: Salem
157 m · 13 sec
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11
Keep slight right
129 m · 10 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
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13
Turn right onto East Main Street
617 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
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14
Turn right onto North College Avenue
12 m · 2 sec · North College Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North College Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and Salem.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Monticello Avenue
Merge slight left
64.4 mi · 01h 10m
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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville to Salem?
The road trip is about 119.6 miles (192.5 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.8 miles from Charlottesville and 59.8 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.2 miles (161.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 1:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.72 one way or $33.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlottesville and Patchy Frost near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Staunton station
Roanoke
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Salem. Straight-line distance: 100.17 mi (161.21 km).
#1 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 193 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.72 | $33.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.69 | $37.38 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.16 | $40.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.73 | $47.47 |
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.