How far is Salem, OR from Molalla, OR?

The driving distance from Salem, OR to Molalla, OR is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
32.15 mi
00h 50m
Flight
26.45 mi
42.57 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
26.45 mi
Kilometers
42.57 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.15 mi
Kilometers
51.74 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Molalla
Wed, Apr 22, 11:01 PM PDT
Return by in Salem
Wed, Apr 22, 11:51 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-04-22T22:11
Arrive Molalla
Wed, Apr 22, 11:01 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:50 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
Woodburn
OR

City in Oregon, USA

From Salem
16 mi
00h 25m
To Molalla
16.1 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on High Street Northeast

    143 m · 19 sec · High Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast

    136 m · 19 sec · Chemeketa Street Northeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Liberty Street Northeast

    1722 ft · 1 min · Liberty Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Division Street Northeast

    107 m · 12 sec · Division Street Northeast

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Commercial Street Northeast

    1348 ft · 41 sec · Commercial Street Northeast

  6. 6

    Continue on Liberty Street Northeast

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Liberty Street Northeast

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Portland

    11.7 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward OR 214, OR 219: Woodburn, Molalla

    1760 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Newberg Highway

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Newberg Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Mount Hood Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Mount Hood Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Molalla Road Northeast

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Molalla Road Northeast

  13. 13

    Continue on Woodburn-Estacada Highway Northeast

    10.2 mi · 15 min · Woodburn-Estacada Highway Northeast

  14. 14

    Continue on West Main Street

    2295 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Molalla Avenue

    19 m · 2 sec · South Molalla Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Molalla Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
11.7 mi · 36%
Woodburn-Estacada Highway Northeast
10.2 mi · 32%
Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
3.06 mi · 10%
Molalla Road Northeast
2.06 mi · 6%
Newberg Highway
1.75 mi · 5%
Liberty Street Northeast
1.47 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Portland

11.7 mi · 00h 14m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
26.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodburn
00h 25m from Salem
Leave By
4:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Salem and Light Rain near Molalla.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Woodburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Salem and 16.1 miles from Molalla.

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

The direct path is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 4:50 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.59 one way or $11.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Salem and Light Rain near Molalla.

Stop Ideas Near Woodburn

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Woodburn and the surrounding midpoint area.
Salem city park
Scenic stop 11.9 mi away

Salem city park

Brooks , OR
Brooks, OR 97305, United States
Rating 4.0/5 5 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 1.6 mi away

Woodburn City Hall

Woodburn , OR
270 Montgomery St, Woodburn, OR 97071
Rating 3.5/5 8 reviews City government office
Old City Hall
Nearby stop 12.8 mi away

Old City Hall

Canby , OR
182 N Holly St, Canby, OR 97013
Rating 4.2/5 20 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Woodburn, OR

2 mi away
2900 Tom Tennant Drive
RAIL

Salem station

27 mi away
500 13th Street SE
RAIL

Oregon City station

32 mi away
1757 Washington Street
RAIL

Union Station

45 mi away
800 NW Sixth Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Molalla. Straight-line distance: 26.45 mi (42.57 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

The capital of Oregon.

Population175,891
Coordinates44.9429000, -123.0351000
Altitude49
CountryUnited States
Molalla

#2 Molalla

City in Oregon, USA

Population9,303
Coordinates45.1473400, -122.5770300
Altitude115
CountryUnited States
Start: Salem (-123.0351, 44.9429)
End: Molalla (-122.57703, 45.14734)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 52 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.13 gal
4.29 L · about $5.59
Round trip
$11.19
2.26 gal · 8.58 L
Estimated CO2
10 kg one way
Round trip: 20.1 kg / 44 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.59 $11.19
Mid-grade $5.34 $6.03 $12.06
Premium $5.57 $6.29 $12.58
Diesel $6.37 $7.19 $14.39

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Salem and Molalla. The current time is 22:11:33.

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.