How far is Martinsburg, WV from Salem, WV?
The driving distance from Martinsburg, WV to Salem, WV is about 284 miles (457.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197.8 miles (318.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 38m 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 05h 19m.
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 West Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Martinsburg and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsburg and Salem.
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1
Start on East King Street
51 m · 35 sec · East King Street
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2
Continue on East King Street
1904 ft · 47 sec · East King Street
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3
Turn left onto Winchester Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Winchester Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Apple Harvest Drive
2393 ft · 1 min · Apple Harvest Drive
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5
Take the exit left toward I 81 South
1383 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left
144.1 mi · 2 hr 36 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Lexington, Charleston
116.9 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Beckley, East Beckley
2671 ft · 1 min
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9
Continue on Joe L. Smith Drive
4.6 mi · 7 min · Joe L. Smith Drive
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10
Turn right onto Robert C. Byrd Drive
3 mi · 5 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive
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11
Take the exit right toward US 19 North: Summersville
9.8 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward East Main Street
956 ft · 23 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Main Street East
3157 ft · 1 min · Main Street East
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14
Turn right onto Gatewood Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · Gatewood Road
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15
Turn right onto Needleseye Road
55 m · 8 sec · Needleseye Road
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16
Continue on Needleseye Road
1147 ft · 50 sec · Needleseye Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Needleseye Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Martinsburg 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 South
Merge slight left
144 mi · 02h 36m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Martinsburg and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Martinsburg to Salem?
The road trip is about 284 miles (457.1 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?
Marlinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142 miles from Martinsburg and 142 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197.8 miles (318.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 86.2 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 6:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.69 one way or $79.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Martinsburg and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Marlinton
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 Marlinton.
Clifton Forge
White Sulphur Springs
Alderson
Staunton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Martinsburg and Salem. Straight-line distance: 197.8 mi (318.33 km).
#1 Martinsburg
City in West Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,514 |
| Coordinates | 39.4562100, -77.9638900 |
| Altitude | 138 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
City in West Virginia
| Population | 1,511 |
| Coordinates | 37.9892800, -81.1153800 |
| Altitude | 653 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-81.11538, 37.98928)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $39.69 | $79.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $44.38 | $88.76 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $47.88 | $95.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $56.35 | $112.70 |
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 West Virginia · Apr 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.