How far is Salem, OR from Union, OR?
The driving distance from Salem, OR to Union, OR is about 320.4 miles (515.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.9 miles (407 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 10m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Light Rain Likely
Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Union.
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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
158.1 mi · 2 hr 56 min · Columbia River Highway
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14
Continue on Old Oregon Trail Highway
97.3 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Old Oregon Trail Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward OR 203: La Grande, Union
1358 ft · 36 sec
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16
Continue on La Grande-Baker Highway
10.5 mi · 16 min · La Grande-Baker Highway
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17
Continue on North Main Street
3079 ft · 57 sec · North Main Street
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18
Turn left onto East Beakman Street
21 m · 1 sec · East Beakman Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Beakman Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Union.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Columbia River Highway
Continue on Columbia River Highway
158 mi · 02h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Light Rain Likely leaving Salem and Rain near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Union?
The road trip is about 320.4 miles (515.6 km) and usually takes 06h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rufus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.9 miles from Salem and 160.5 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252.9 miles (407 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.5 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.95 one way or $111.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Salem and Rain near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Rufus
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 Rufus.
Wishram
The Dalles, Oregon
Bingen – White Salmon
Hood River, Oregon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Union. Straight-line distance: 252.87 mi (406.96 km).
#1 Salem
The capital of Oregon.
| Population | 175,891 |
| Coordinates | 44.9429000, -123.0351000 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Union
Township of Union County, New Jersey
| Population | 2,207 |
| Coordinates | 45.2084700, -117.8652100 |
| Altitude | 850 |
| Country | United States |
End: Union (-117.86521, 45.20847)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 516 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $55.95 | $111.89 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $60.32 | $120.64 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $62.90 | $125.79 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $71.94 | $143.87 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.