How far is Salem, PA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance from Salem, PA to Philadelphia, PA is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.9 miles (212.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Borough in southwestern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Philadelphia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Philadelphia.
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1
Start on Salem Road
40 m · 8 sec · Salem Road
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2
Turn right onto Letterkenny Road
2809 ft · 1 min · Letterkenny Road
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3
Continue on Coffey Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Coffey Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Cumberland Highway
8.7 mi · 13 min · Cumberland Highway
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Newburg Road
723 ft · 17 sec · Newburg Road
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6
Turn left onto Cumberland Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cumberland Highway
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7
Continue on Trout Run
1.6 mi · 2 min · Trout Run
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8
Continue on Cumberland Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Cumberland Highway
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9
Take the ramp left
1280 ft · 31 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Harrisburg
1558 ft · 38 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
124.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
18 mi · 26 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Vine Street Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Central Philadelphia
731 ft · 18 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
96 m · 11 sec
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16
Turn right onto North 15th Street
1987 ft · 49 sec · North 15th Street
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17
Turn slight left onto South Penn Square
115 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
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18
Keep slight left to continue on South Penn Square
51 m · 3 sec · South Penn Square
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Penn Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Philadelphia.
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
124 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Sunny leaving Salem and Sunny near Philadelphia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Philadelphia?
The road trip is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Mount Gretna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Salem and 79.7 miles from Philadelphia.
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 27.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.96 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salem and Sunny near Philadelphia.
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 Salem and Philadelphia. Straight-line distance: 131.89 mi (212.25 km).
#1 Salem
Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,367 |
| Coordinates | 39.9850900, -77.6541600 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: South Penn Square (-75.163922, 39.951648)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 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 | $22.96 | $45.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.85 | $51.69 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $33.61 | $67.22 |
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.