How far is Danville, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Danville, VA to Salem, VA is about 188.2 miles (302.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 54m.
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.
Town in Virginia, USA
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 Danville and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville and Salem.
-
1
Start on South Ridge Street
127 m · 15 sec · South Ridge Street
-
2
Turn left onto Patton Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Patton Street
-
3
Turn slight right onto Justin Lane
1.3 km · 1 min · Justin Lane
-
4
Turn straight onto Richmond Boulevard
2975 ft · 59 sec · Richmond Boulevard
-
5
Continue on Old Richmond Road
2497 ft · 50 sec · Old Richmond Road
-
6
Turn left onto Franklin Turnpike
107 m · 12 sec · Franklin Turnpike
-
7
Take the ramp slight right
1921 ft · 47 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Danville Expressway
12.4 mi · 15 min · Danville Expressway
-
9
Continue straight
10.7 mi · 13 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North
34.7 mi · 43 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North, US 460 East
6.5 mi · 9 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
38.4 mi · 46 min
-
13
Turn left onto River Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road
-
14
Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway
-
15
Turn left onto Afton Mountain Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road
-
16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Afton Mountain Road
2031 ft · 38 sec · Afton Mountain Road
-
17
Turn left onto Rockfish Gap Turnpike
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike
-
18
Continue on Three Notched Mountain Highway
1700 ft · 47 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway
-
19
Turn left onto I-64
571 ft · 14 sec
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on I-64 West: Staunton
1043 ft · 25 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
11.9 mi · 13 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
2481 ft · 47 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
42.7 mi · 47 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward US 211, VA 211: New Market, Luray
1380 ft · 34 sec
-
25
Turn right onto West Old Cross Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Old Cross Road
-
26
Turn right onto East Lee Highway
8 mi · 11 min · East Lee Highway
-
27
Turn left onto Egypt Bend Road
62 m · 12 sec · Egypt Bend Road
-
28
Turn sharp right
58 m · 15 sec
-
29
Turn uturn
68 m · 11 sec
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Danville 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 81 North
Merge slight left
42.7 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Danville and Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Danville to Salem?
The road trip is about 188.2 miles (302.9 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Amherst is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Danville and 94.1 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:12 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.30 one way or $52.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Danville and Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Amherst
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 Amherst.
Kemper Street station
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Danville and Salem. Straight-line distance: 149.58 mi (240.73 km).
#1 Danville
The seat of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
| Population | 39,869 |
| Coordinates | 36.5859700, -79.3950200 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| 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: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.34 | $74.69 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.