How far is Salem, VA from Danville, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Danville, VA is about 187.4 miles (301.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Virginia, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Danville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Danville.
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1
Start on the route
6.4 mi · 9 min
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2
Continue on East Lee Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Lee Highway
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3
Turn left onto East Old Cross Road
1 mi · 3 min · East Old Cross Road
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4
Turn left
1220 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
42.7 mi · 47 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Richmond
1 km · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight right
11.9 mi · 13 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
2204 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight right
91 m · 11 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Three Notched Mountain Highway
1533 ft · 37 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway
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11
Continue on Rockfish Gap Turnpike
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike
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12
Turn right onto Afton Mountain Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road
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13
Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway
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14
Turn left onto River Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road
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15
Turn right onto Thomas Nelson Highway
16 mi · 20 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
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16
Continue on North Amherst Highway
9.4 mi · 11 min · North Amherst Highway
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17
Continue on Monacan Parkway
12 mi · 13 min · Monacan Parkway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
1 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South
1911 ft · 47 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Wards Road
30.7 mi · 39 min · Wards Road
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22
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South
14.8 mi · 18 min
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23
Continue straight
12.8 mi · 16 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward VA 41: Halifax
1361 ft · 33 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Franklin Turnpike
1318 ft · 26 sec · Franklin Turnpike
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Richmond Road
2497 ft · 50 sec · Old Richmond Road
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27
Continue on Richmond Boulevard
2975 ft · 59 sec · Richmond Boulevard
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28
Continue on Justin Lane
1.3 km · 1 min · Justin Lane
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29
Turn straight onto North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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30
Continue on Main Street
3024 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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31
Turn left onto South Ridge Street
32 m · 2 sec · South Ridge Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Ridge Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Danville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East Old Cross Road
Merge slight left
42.7 mi · 00h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers leaving Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms near Danville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Danville?
The road trip is about 187.4 miles (301.6 km) and usually takes 03h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Amherst is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.4 miles from Salem and 92.9 miles from Danville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.18 one way or $52.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms near Danville.
Stop Ideas Near Amherst
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 Amherst.
Kemper Street station
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Danville. Straight-line distance: 149.58 mi (240.73 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Danville
The seat of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
| Population | 39,869 |
| Coordinates | 36.5859700, -79.3950200 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Ridge Street (-79.39498, 36.586011)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.18 | $52.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.28 | $58.55 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.58 | $63.17 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.17 | $74.35 |
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.