How far is Salem, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to McLean, VA is about 90.7 miles (145.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m 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.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and McLean.
-
1
Start on the route
13 m · 7 sec
-
2
Continue straight
5.5 mi · 8 min
-
3
Take the exit slight right
597 ft · 18 sec
-
4
Turn left onto North Broad Street
22.7 mi · 32 min · North Broad Street
-
5
Continue on South Royal Avenue
1468 ft · 55 sec · South Royal Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto South Street
2815 ft · 2 min · South Street
-
7
Continue on John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi · 8 min · John Marshall Highway
-
8
Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road
83 m · 5 sec · Apple Mountain Road
-
9
Take the ramp slight right
1745 ft · 44 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
29.5 mi · 32 min
-
11
Keep slight right
21.5 mi · 26 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
3015 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
-
16
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
-
17
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and McLean.
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 Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to McLean?
The road trip is about 90.7 miles (145.9 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 45.3 miles from Salem and 45.4 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 2:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.68 one way or $25.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
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 McLean. Straight-line distance: 76.47 mi (123.06 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 146 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.68 | $25.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.00 | $35.99 |
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.