How far is Salem, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Alexandria, VA is about 242.7 miles (390.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.1 miles (312.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m 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 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Road in Manhattan, New York City
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Alexandria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Alexandria.
-
1
Start on North College Avenue
12 m · 9 sec · North College Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
617 ft · 23 sec · East Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
-
4
Take the ramp right toward I 81 North: Lexington
1154 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
81.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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6
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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8
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
-
9
Keep slight right
21.4 mi · 26 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
2186 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
12.1 mi · 15 min · Capital Beltway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
969 ft · 24 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
2328 ft · 57 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
134 m · 8 sec · Richmond Highway
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16
Continue on South Patrick Street
1551 ft · 46 sec · South Patrick Street
-
17
Turn right onto Franklin Street
953 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
-
18
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2462 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Alexandria.
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 81 North
Merge slight left
81.1 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Patchy Frost leaving Salem and Sunny near Alexandria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Alexandria?
The road trip is about 242.7 miles (390.6 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Broadway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from Salem and 121.5 miles from Alexandria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.1 miles (312.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.6 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 9:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.91 one way or $67.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost around Salem and Sunny near Alexandria.
Stop Ideas Near Broadway
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 Broadway.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Cumberland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Alexandria. Straight-line distance: 194.12 mi (312.4 km).
#1 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Washington Street (-77.04696, 38.804845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.91 | $67.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $37.91 | $75.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $40.90 | $81.80 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.14 | $96.28 |
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 · Apr 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.