How far is Salem, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 57.2 miles (92.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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 16m.
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
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 Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on the route
2.1 mi · 3 min
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2
Continue straight
17.1 mi · 26 min
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3
Turn left
1391 ft · 38 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Spotswood Trail
13.4 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail
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5
Turn straight onto Stanardsville By-Pass
2.2 mi · 3 min · Stanardsville By-Pass
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6
Continue on Spotswood Trail
4.8 mi · 7 min · Spotswood Trail
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7
Turn right onto Seminole Trail
13.6 mi · 21 min · Seminole Trail
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8
Turn left onto Hydraulic Road
1022 ft · 32 sec · Hydraulic Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hydraulic Road
29 m · 3 sec · Hydraulic Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Hydraulic Road
1252 ft · 33 sec · Hydraulic Road
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11
Turn left onto U.S. 250 Bypass
1.5 mi · 3 min · U.S. 250 Bypass
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Park Street
147 m · 20 sec
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13
Turn right onto Park Street
1 km · 2 min · Park Street
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14
Turn left onto East High Street
96 m · 13 sec · East High Street
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15
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
873 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Charlottesville.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Continue straight
17.1 mi · 00h 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.
Rain Showers leaving Salem and Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 57.2 miles (92.1 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Stanardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.1 miles from Salem and 29.1 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.00 one way or $16.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Stop Ideas Near Stanardsville
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 Stanardsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 42.66 mi (68.66 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 92 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.95 | $17.89 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.65 | $19.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.36 | $22.72 |
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.