How far is Richmond, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Salem, VA is about 185.9 miles (299.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 30m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Patchy Frost
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.
-
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
-
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
130.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min
-
10
Keep slight left
51.5 mi · 57 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward VA 311: Salem
157 m · 13 sec
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12
Keep slight right
129 m · 10 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
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14
Turn right onto East Main Street
617 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
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15
Turn right onto North College Avenue
12 m · 2 sec · North College Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North College Avenue
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
130 mi · 02h 23m
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.
Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Richmond and Patchy Frost 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 185.9 miles (299.2 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.9 miles from Richmond and 93 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.4 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 10:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.98 one way or $51.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Richmond and Patchy Frost near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro
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 Waynesboro.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Salem. Straight-line distance: 143.49 mi (230.93 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-80.05476, 37.29347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.98 | $51.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.05 | $58.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.89 | $73.79 |
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 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.