How far is Salem, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Virginia Beach, VA is about 225.8 miles (363.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.2 miles (301.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 54m.
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 Alabama, 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 Virginia Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Virginia Beach.
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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
11.7 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Spotswood Trail
51 m · 3 sec · Spotswood Trail
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Spotswood Trail
5.4 mi · 8 min · Spotswood Trail
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9
Continue on North Main Street
813 ft · 15 sec · North Main Street
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
22 m · 1 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Turn slight right onto Martinsburg Avenue
2056 ft · 35 sec · Martinsburg Avenue
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13
Continue on James Madison Highway
11 mi · 16 min · James Madison Highway
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14
Take the ramp slight left
2073 ft · 51 sec
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15
Merge slight left
40 mi · 43 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
1.3 mi · 3 min
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19
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway
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21
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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22
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth
914 ft · 14 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 264 East: Va Beach
3229 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight right onto Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
11.8 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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26
Continue on 21st Street
2247 ft · 54 sec · 21st Street
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27
Turn left onto Arctic Avenue
1553 ft · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue
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28
Turn right onto 25th Street
139 m · 12 sec · 25th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Virginia Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Merge slight left
66.8 mi · 01h 15m
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 Virginia Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Virginia Beach?
The road trip is about 225.8 miles (363.4 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Glen Allen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.8 miles from Salem and 113 miles from Virginia Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.2 miles (301.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 9:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.57 one way or $63.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Salem and Showers And Thunderstorms near Virginia Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Allen
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glen Allen.
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Virginia Beach. Straight-line distance: 187.14 mi (301.18 km).
#1 Salem
City in Page County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 25,340 |
| Coordinates | 38.6442900, -78.5477900 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Virginia Beach
The most populous city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is a major center for tourism, military, and business.
| Population | 451,231 |
| Coordinates | 36.8529300, -75.9779900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: 25th Street (-75.978051, 36.853145)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 363 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.57 | $63.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.30 | $70.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.08 | $76.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.82 | $89.65 |
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.