How far is Morgantown, WV from Salem, WV?
The driving distance from Morgantown, WV to Salem, WV is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.4 miles (208.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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 00m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Morgantown and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgantown and Salem.
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1
Start on High Street
748 ft · 29 sec · High Street
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2
Turn right onto Kirk Street
577 ft · 30 sec · Kirk Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto University Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
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4
Continue on Don Knotts Boulevard
1.9 mi · 3 min · Don Knotts Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 68 West
2591 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
2240 ft · 27 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I-79 S: Fairmont
1.3 km · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
90.3 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 19 South: Beckley
1684 ft · 41 sec
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10
Keep slight left
97 m · 9 sec
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11
Turn right onto Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
8.6 mi · 10 min · Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
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12
Continue straight
45.6 mi · 56 min
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13
Turn left onto Appalachian Drive
996 ft · 32 sec · Appalachian Drive
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14
At the end of the road, turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street East
1.3 km · 2 min · Main Street East
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16
Turn left onto Dickinson Avenue
964 ft · 44 sec · Dickinson Avenue
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Wilson Street
1180 ft · 57 sec · Wilson Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Gatewood Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Gatewood Road
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19
Turn right onto Needleseye Road
55 m · 8 sec · Needleseye Road
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20
Continue on Needleseye Road
1147 ft · 50 sec · Needleseye Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Needleseye Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morgantown 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.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
90.3 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Morgantown 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 Morgantown to Salem?
The road trip is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
Burnsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77 miles from Morgantown and 76.9 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.4 miles (208.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.51 one way or $43.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Morgantown and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Burnsville
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 Burnsville.
Montgomery
Charleston
Thurmond
Prince
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morgantown and Salem. Straight-line distance: 129.38 mi (208.22 km).
#1 Morgantown
City in and county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,847 |
| Coordinates | 39.6295300, -79.9559000 |
| Altitude | 271 |
| 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: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.05 | $48.10 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.54 | $61.08 |
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.