How far is McLean, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to Salem, VA is about 91 miles (146.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 00m 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 00m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Salem.
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1
Start on Elm Street
672 ft · 24 sec · Elm Street
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2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
111 m · 15 sec · Beverly Road
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3
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
1671 ft · 49 sec · Old Dominion Drive
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4
Turn left onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi · 5 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South
1690 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1998 ft · 49 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 66 West: Manassas, Front Royal
1517 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left
51.1 mi · 58 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
1334 ft · 38 sec
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11
Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road
1209 ft · 24 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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12
Turn right onto John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi · 8 min · John Marshall Highway
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13
Continue on South Street
2815 ft · 2 min · South Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Royal Avenue
1468 ft · 54 sec · South Royal Avenue
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15
Continue on Stonewall Jackson Highway
22.6 mi · 32 min · Stonewall Jackson Highway
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16
Take the ramp right toward US 211 West, US 340 South
5.7 mi · 8 min
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean 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 66 West
Merge slight left
51.1 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving McLean and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLean to Salem?
The road trip is about 91 miles (146.5 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?
The Plains is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.4 miles from McLean and 45.5 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 2:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.71 one way or $25.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around McLean and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near The Plains
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 The Plains.
Manassas station
Burke Centre
Culpeper station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Salem. Straight-line distance: 76.47 mi (123.06 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| 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: 146 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.71 | $25.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.22 | $28.43 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.34 | $30.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.05 | $36.11 |
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.