How far is Salem, OR from Portland, OR?
The driving distance from Salem, OR to Portland, OR is about 47.6 miles (76.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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 00h 55m.
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.
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 Portland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Portland.
-
1
Start on High Street Northeast
143 m · 19 sec · High Street Northeast
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2
Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast
136 m · 19 sec · Chemeketa Street Northeast
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3
Turn right onto Liberty Street Northeast
1722 ft · 1 min · Liberty Street Northeast
-
4
Turn left onto Division Street Northeast
107 m · 12 sec · Division Street Northeast
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5
Turn right onto Commercial Street Northeast
1348 ft · 41 sec · Commercial Street Northeast
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6
Continue on Liberty Street Northeast
1.1 mi · 3 min · Liberty Street Northeast
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7
Turn right onto Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
3.1 mi · 5 min · Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Portland
39.7 mi · 49 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Stadium Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Stadium Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Everett Street, Glisan Street
906 ft · 30 sec
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11
Turn right onto Northwest Everett Street
1723 ft · 1 min · Northwest Everett Street
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12
Turn right onto Northwest 8th Avenue
159 m · 28 sec · Northwest 8th Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Northwest Couch Street
615 ft · 32 sec · Northwest Couch Street
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14
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Portland.
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 5 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Portland
39.7 mi · 00h 49m
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 Portland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Portland?
The road trip is about 47.6 miles (76.6 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Donald is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.8 miles from Salem and 23.8 miles from Portland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.32 one way or $16.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salem and Sunny near Portland.
Stop Ideas Near Donald
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sunrise Park (City Of Tigard park)
Tigard City Hall
Old City Hall
Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Donald.
Woodburn, OR
Oregon City station
Salem station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Portland. Straight-line distance: 43.75 mi (70.41 km).
#1 Salem
The capital of Oregon.
| Population | 175,891 |
| Coordinates | 44.9429000, -123.0351000 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portland
The twenty-sixth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Portland metropolitan area.
| Population | 656,751 |
| Coordinates | 45.5234500, -122.6762100 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-122.676082, 45.523482)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $8.32 | $16.64 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $8.97 | $17.94 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $9.35 | $18.70 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $10.69 | $21.39 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.