How far is Salem, PA from Harrisburg, PA?

The driving distance from Salem, PA to Harrisburg, PA is about 56.2 miles (90.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
56.26 mi
01h 00m
Flight
45.29 mi
72.89 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.29 mi
Kilometers
72.89 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.26 mi
Kilometers
90.54 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 01h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Harrisburg
Sun, Apr 19, 6:04 AM EDT
Return by in Salem
Sun, Apr 19, 7:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-04-19T05:03
Arrive Harrisburg
Sun, Apr 19, 6:04 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salem
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Plainfield
PA

Unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States

From Salem
28.1 mi
00h 30m
To Harrisburg
28.1 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph W
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Harrisburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Harrisburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Salem Road

    1.5 mi · 4 min · Salem Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Philadelphia Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Philadelphia Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Cumberland Highway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Cumberland Highway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Black Gap Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Black Gap Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Olde Scotland Road

    736 ft · 20 sec · Olde Scotland Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    1137 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    44.2 mi · 53 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville

    931 ft · 14 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville

    1828 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2072 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

    1.2 km · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

  12. 12

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 22 West, US 322 West, US 22 East, PA 230 East: Lewistown, State College, Harrisburg

    1267 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on US 22 East, PA 230 East: Harrisburg

    2676 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto North Cameron Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · North Cameron Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Herr Street

    1643 ft · 45 sec · Herr Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North 7th Street

    1377 ft · 47 sec · North 7th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Harrisburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Olde Scotland Road
44.5 mi · 79%
Black Gap Road
1.93 mi · 3%
Philadelphia Avenue
1.92 mi · 3%
North Cameron Street
1.77 mi · 3%
Salem Road
1.52 mi · 3%
Cumberland Highway
1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Olde Scotland Road

Merge slight left

44.2 mi · 00h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
45.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plainfield
00h 30m from Salem
Leave By
4:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Salem and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salem to Harrisburg?

The road trip is about 56.2 miles (90.5 km) and usually takes 01h 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?

Plainfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.1 miles from Salem and 28.1 miles from Harrisburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 4:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.09 one way or $16.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Salem and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.

Stop Ideas Near Plainfield

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Plainfield, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plainfield.

RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

36 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
RAIL

Middletown

47 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street
RAIL

Lewistown

49 mi away
150 Helen Street
RAIL

Elizabethtown station

58 mi away
South Wilson Avenue at West High Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Harrisburg. Straight-line distance: 45.29 mi (72.89 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Population6,367
Coordinates39.9850900, -77.6541600
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Harrisburg

#2 Harrisburg

The capital of Pennsylvania.

Population49,322
Coordinates40.2737000, -76.8844200
Altitude101
CountryUnited States
Start: Salem Road (-77.654218, 39.984855)
End: North 7th Street (-76.884584, 40.273641)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.98 gal
7.51 L · about $8.09
Round trip
$16.18
3.96 gal · 15.02 L
Estimated CO2
17.6 kg one way
Round trip: 35.2 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.09 $16.18
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.11 $18.21
Premium $4.95 $9.81 $19.62
Diesel $5.98 $11.84 $23.68

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Salem and Harrisburg. The current time is 05:03:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.