How far is Richmond, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Salem, VA is about 116.8 miles (188 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.8 miles (154.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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 34m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Salem.
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1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
525 ft · 15 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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2
Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue
684 ft · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Meadow Street
1157 ft · 30 sec · North Meadow Street
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4
Continue on Hermitage Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Hermitage Road
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5
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
908 ft · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road
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6
Turn right onto North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
962 ft · 30 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto I 95 North, I 64 West
988 ft · 24 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
1797 ft · 28 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
50.1 mi · 56 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
883 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra
853 ft · 23 sec
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12
Turn straight onto James Madison Highway
10.8 mi · 15 min · James Madison Highway
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13
Continue on Martinsburg Avenue
2048 ft · 35 sec · Martinsburg Avenue
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14
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Main Street
36 m · 2 sec · North Main Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
830 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
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17
Continue on Spotswood Trail
5.4 mi · 8 min · Spotswood Trail
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Spotswood Trail
25 m · 1 sec · Spotswood Trail
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Spotswood Trail
11.7 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail
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20
Continue on Stanardsville By-Pass
2.2 mi · 3 min · Stanardsville By-Pass
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21
Continue on Spotswood Trail
13.4 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail
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22
Take the exit slight right
820 ft · 23 sec
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23
Keep slight right
111 m · 12 sec
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24
Continue on South Stuart Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · South Stuart Avenue
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25
Continue on North East Side Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North East Side Highway
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26
Continue on South Third Street
1378 ft · 23 sec · South Third Street
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27
Continue on 3rd Street
642 ft · 18 sec · 3rd Street
-
28
Continue on 4th Street
11.4 mi · 17 min · 4th Street
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29
Turn right
2 mi · 3 min
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30
Turn left onto Egypt Bend Road
62 m · 12 sec · Egypt Bend Road
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31
Turn sharp right
58 m · 15 sec
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32
Turn uturn
68 m · 11 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond 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 64 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
50.1 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Richmond and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Salem?
The road trip is about 116.8 miles (188 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Gordonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.4 miles from Richmond and 58.5 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.8 miles (154.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 1:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.32 one way or $32.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Richmond and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Gordonsville
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 Gordonsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Fredericksburg
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Salem. Straight-line distance: 95.78 mi (154.14 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| 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: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.32 | $32.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $19.69 | $39.37 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.