How far is Philadelphia, PA from Salem, PA?
The driving distance from Philadelphia, PA to Salem, PA is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.9 miles (212.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m 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 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Borough in southwestern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
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 Philadelphia and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia and Salem.
-
1
Start on South Penn Square
121 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
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2
Keep slight left to continue on East Penn Square
737 ft · 19 sec · East Penn Square
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3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
803 ft · 21 sec · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
2132 ft · 55 sec · North 16th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
1091 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Vine Street Expressway
1 mi · 2 min · Vine Street Expressway
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7
Merge slight right onto Schuylkill Expressway
16.4 mi · 23 min · Schuylkill Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
632 ft · 10 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
1447 ft · 22 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Mall Boulevard
1331 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
533 ft · 8 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway
2317 ft · 53 sec · Schuylkill Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1919 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
124.6 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg
1.3 km · 2 min
-
16
Turn right onto Cumberland Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Cumberland Highway
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17
Continue on Trout Run
1.6 mi · 2 min · Trout Run
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18
Continue on Cumberland Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cumberland Highway
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19
Turn right onto Newburg Road
723 ft · 17 sec · Newburg Road
-
20
Turn left onto Cumberland Highway
8.7 mi · 13 min · Cumberland Highway
-
21
Turn right onto Coffey Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Coffey Avenue
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22
Continue on Letterkenny Road
2809 ft · 1 min · Letterkenny Road
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23
Turn left onto Salem Road
40 m · 4 sec · Salem Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Salem Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Philadelphia 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.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
125 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Sunny leaving Philadelphia and Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Philadelphia to Salem?
The road trip is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Mount Gretna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.9 miles from Philadelphia and 80.2 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.9 miles (212.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.09 one way or $46.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Philadelphia and Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Gretna
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 Mount Gretna.
Mount Joy
Elizabethtown station
Middletown
Lancaster station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Philadelphia and Salem. Straight-line distance: 131.89 mi (212.25 km).
#1 Philadelphia
The sixth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,578,487 |
| Coordinates | 39.9523300, -75.1637900 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,367 |
| Coordinates | 39.9850900, -77.6541600 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-77.65416, 39.98509)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.09 | $46.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.98 | $51.97 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $27.99 | $55.98 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $33.79 | $67.57 |
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 Pennsylvania · Apr 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.