How far is Salem, VA from Lynchburg, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Lynchburg, VA is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91 miles (146.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 02h 09m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
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 Lynchburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Lynchburg.
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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
10.6 mi · 11 min · Monacan Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 210 West: Downtown Lynchburg
1096 ft · 31 sec
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19
Turn right onto Old Town Connector
2.3 mi · 4 min · Old Town Connector
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20
Turn left
1357 ft · 33 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Amherst Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Amherst Highway
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22
Continue on Lynchburg Expressway
1123 ft · 17 sec · Lynchburg Expressway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Riverfront
151 m · 28 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown, Riverfront
36 m · 10 sec
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25
Turn left onto Main Street
11 m · 5 sec · Main Street
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26
Turn left onto Pearl Street
103 m · 8 sec · Pearl Street
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27
Turn right onto Church Street
2001 ft · 1 min · Church Street
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28
Turn right onto 10th Street
30 m · 4 sec · 10th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Lynchburg.
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 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 Showers And Thunderstorms near Lynchburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Lynchburg?
The road trip is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.3 miles from Salem and 62.4 miles from Lynchburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91 miles (146.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.27 one way or $34.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lynchburg.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro
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 Waynesboro.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Lynchburg. Straight-line distance: 90.97 mi (146.4 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lynchburg
The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 81,561 |
| Coordinates | 37.4137500, -79.1422500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: 10th Street (-79.142183, 37.413677)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.83 | $41.66 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
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.