How far is Salem, VA from Arlington, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Arlington, VA is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m 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 45m.
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 Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Arlington.
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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
27.8 mi · 34 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 120, VA 237
1641 ft · 31 sec
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13
Continue on Fairfax Drive
573 ft · 25 sec · Fairfax Drive
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14
Turn right onto North Glebe Road
985 ft · 33 sec · North Glebe Road
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15
Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard
2854 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilson Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Arlington.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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 Arlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Arlington?
The road trip is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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 46.3 miles from Salem and 46.4 miles from Arlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.5 miles (127.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 3:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.95 one way or $25.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Rain Showers near Arlington.
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 Arlington. Straight-line distance: 79.47 mi (127.89 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilson Boulevard (-77.104347, 38.881084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 149 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.95 | $25.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.48 | $28.97 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.62 | $31.25 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.39 | $36.78 |
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.