How far is Salem, OR from The Dalles, OR?
The driving distance from Salem, OR to The Dalles, OR is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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 02h 41m.
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.
City in Oregon, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and The Dalles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and The Dalles.
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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
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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
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Seattle
1.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport
1011 ft · 17 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Continue on Banfield Freeway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Banfield Freeway
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13
Continue on Columbia River Highway
74.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Columbia River Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 east: The Dalles City Center
1319 ft · 32 sec
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15
Turn straight onto West 2nd Street
2242 ft · 38 sec · West 2nd Street
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16
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
1431 ft · 29 sec · West 3rd Street
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17
Turn right onto Washington Street
830 ft · 17 sec · Washington Street
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18
Continue on East 7th Street
1146 ft · 23 sec · East 7th Street
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19
Turn straight onto Kelly Avenue
867 ft · 24 sec · Kelly Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East 10th Street
725 ft · 16 sec · East 10th Street
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21
Turn right onto G Street
46 m · 9 sec · G Street
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22
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and The Dalles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Columbia River Highway
Continue on Columbia River Highway
74.6 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Salem and Light Rain near The Dalles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to The Dalles?
The road trip is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Troutdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.7 miles from Salem and 65 miles from The Dalles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 1:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.68 one way or $45.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Salem and Light Rain near The Dalles.
Stop Ideas Near Troutdale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hollybrook Park
Happy Valley City Hall
Gresham City Passport Office
Gresham City Hall Park & Ride
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Troutdale.
Union Station
Portland, OR
Vancouver station
Oregon City station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and The Dalles. Straight-line distance: 100.87 mi (162.34 km).
#1 Salem
The capital of Oregon.
| Population | 175,891 |
| Coordinates | 44.9429000, -123.0351000 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| Country | United States |
#2 The Dalles
City in and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, Unite States
| Population | 15,581 |
| Coordinates | 45.5945600, -121.1786800 |
| Altitude | 77 |
| Country | United States |
End: The Dalles (-121.17868, 45.59456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $22.68 | $45.35 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $24.45 | $48.90 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $25.49 | $50.98 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $29.16 | $58.31 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.