How far is Salem, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 101.3 miles (163.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 01h 54m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Alexandria.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 7 sec
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2
Continue straight
5.5 mi · 8 min
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3
Take the exit slight right
597 ft · 18 sec
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4
Turn left onto North Broad Street
22.7 mi · 32 min · North Broad Street
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5
Continue on South Royal Avenue
1468 ft · 55 sec · South Royal Avenue
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6
Turn right onto South Street
2815 ft · 2 min · South Street
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7
Continue on John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi · 8 min · John Marshall Highway
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8
Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road
83 m · 5 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1745 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left
29.5 mi · 32 min
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11
Keep slight right
21.4 mi · 26 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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18
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
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19
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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20
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Alexandria.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Apple Mountain Road
Merge slight left
29.5 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Salem and Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 101.3 miles (163.1 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
The Plains is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.6 miles from Salem and 50.7 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.14 one way or $28.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Rain Showers near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near The Plains
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 The Plains.
Manassas station
Burke Centre
Culpeper station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 81.66 mi (131.42 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 163 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.14 | $28.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.81 | $31.62 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.06 | $34.11 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.08 | $40.16 |
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 Virginia · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.