How far is Columbus, OH from Salem, OH?
The driving distance from Columbus, OH to Salem, OH is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130 miles (209.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 03h 18m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy
Chance Light Rain then Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Salem.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 6 sec
-
2
Turn right onto East State Street
556 ft · 23 sec · East State Street
-
3
Turn right onto South High Street
1764 ft · 1 min · South High Street
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4
Turn right onto East Long Street
3034 ft · 2 min · East Long Street
-
5
Turn left onto Cleveland Avenue
1952 ft · 1 min · Cleveland Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 71, I 670 East
60 m · 5 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 North, I 670 East
2168 ft · 47 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 North: Cleveland
1560 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 1 hr 48 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
1162 ft · 28 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 76, US 224 East: Akron
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
17.2 mi · 20 min
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13
Keep slight left
22.8 mi · 32 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn right
2771 ft · 60 sec
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15
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Deerfield Township Square
65 m · 5 sec · State Route 14
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17
Exit the rotary onto State Route 14
3.4 mi · 5 min · State Route 14
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18
Continue on Cleveland East Liverpool Road
8.3 mi · 12 min · Cleveland East Liverpool Road
-
19
Continue on Benton Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Benton Road
-
20
Turn left onto West State Street
1 km · 2 min · West State Street
-
21
Turn right onto South Ellsworth Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · South Ellsworth Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Ellsworth Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus 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 71 North
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy leaving Columbus and Chance Light Rain then Scattered Rain Showers near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Salem?
The road trip is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Columbus and 81.1 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130 miles (209.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.76 one way or $45.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy around Columbus and Chance Light Rain then Scattered Rain Showers near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Ashland
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 Ashland.
Elyria
Sandusky
Cleveland Lakefront station
Alliance
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Salem. Straight-line distance: 130.02 mi (209.25 km).
#1 Columbus
The fifteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Columbus metropolitan area.
| Population | 884,356 |
| Coordinates | 39.9611800, -82.9987900 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
Located in Northeastern Ohio within Columbiana County, this municipality sits at an elevation of 1,227 feet above sea level amidst the rolling hills that characterize the western edge of the Appalachian Plateau.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.9008900, -80.8567500 |
| Altitude | 374 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-80.85675, 40.90089)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.98 | $22.76 | $45.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.56 | $26.09 | $52.19 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $29.18 | $58.37 |
| Diesel | $6.39 | $36.56 | $73.11 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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