How far is Salem, OR from Lincoln City, OR?

The driving distance from Salem, OR to Lincoln City, OR is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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
58.78 mi
01h 24m
Flight
48.07 mi
77.36 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
48.07 mi
Kilometers
77.36 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.78 mi
Kilometers
94.6 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln City
Sat, May 2, 7:29 AM PDT
Return by in Salem
Sat, May 2, 8:53 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-05-02T06:04
Arrive Lincoln City
Sat, May 2, 7:29 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:42 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salem
9:30 PM PDT
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
Willamina
OR

City in Oregon, USA

From Salem
29.3 mi
00h 42m
To Lincoln City
29.5 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph NNW
Destination
61°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Lincoln City.

  1. 1

    Start on High Street Northeast

    143 m · 19 sec · High Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast

    1336 ft · 54 sec · Chemeketa Street Northeast

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast

    128 m · 10 sec · Front Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward Marion Street Bridge

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Salem-Willamina Highway

    20.8 mi · 25 min · Salem-Willamina Highway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Salmon River Highway

    26.6 mi · 38 min · Salmon River Highway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    2804 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Oregon Coast Highway

    4.5 mi · 10 min · Oregon Coast Highway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Southwest Fleet Avenue

    1819 ft · 51 sec · Southwest Fleet Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest Fleet Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Salmon River Highway
27.1 mi · 46%
Salem-Willamina Highway
20.8 mi · 35%
Marion Street Bridge
5.62 mi · 10%
Oregon Coast Highway
4.55 mi · 8%
Southwest Fleet Avenue
0.34 mi · 1%
Chemeketa Street Northeast
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

Salmon River Highway

Merge slight left onto Salmon River Highway

26.6 mi · 00h 38m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.7 mi
48.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willamina
00h 42m from Salem
Leave By
3:42 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Salem and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Lincoln City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salem to Lincoln City?

The road trip is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?

Willamina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.3 miles from Salem and 29.5 miles from Lincoln City.

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

The direct path is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:42 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.25 one way or $20.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Salem and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Lincoln City.

Stop Ideas Near Willamina

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Willamina, 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 Willamina.

RAIL

Salem station

40 mi away
500 13th Street SE
BUS

Woodburn, OR

49 mi away
2900 Tom Tennant Drive
RAIL

Albany station

58 mi away
110 10th Ave SW
BUS

Corvallis, Oregon

60 mi away
153 NW 4th Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Lincoln City. Straight-line distance: 48.07 mi (77.36 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

The capital of Oregon.

Population175,891
Coordinates44.9429000, -123.0351000
Altitude49
CountryUnited States
Lincoln City

#2 Lincoln City

City in Oregon, USA

Population9,170
Coordinates44.9581600, -124.0178900
Altitude24
CountryUnited States
Start: Salem (-123.0351, 44.9429)
End: Lincoln City (-124.01789, 44.95816)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.07 gal
7.85 L · about $10.25
Round trip
$20.50
4.14 gal · 15.7 L
Estimated CO2
18.4 kg one way
Round trip: 36.8 kg / 81 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $10.25 $20.50
Mid-grade $5.34 $11.05 $22.10
Premium $5.57 $11.52 $23.04
Diesel $6.37 $13.18 $26.36

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 Oregon · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Salem and Lincoln City. The current time is 06:04:56.

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.