How far is Salem, VA from Lynchburg, VA?

The driving distance from Salem, VA to Lynchburg, VA is about 67.2 miles (108.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.8 miles (81.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
67.26 mi
01h 16m
Flight
50.8 mi
81.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.8 mi
Kilometers
81.76 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
67.26 mi
Kilometers
108.24 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lynchburg
Tue, Apr 21, 1:32 PM EDT
Return by in Salem
Tue, Apr 21, 2:49 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-04-21T12:16
Arrive Lynchburg
Tue, Apr 21, 1:32 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salem
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bedford
VA

Town in Bedford County, Virginia, United States

From Salem
33.6 mi
00h 38m
To Lynchburg
33.7 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
30°F
Overnight

Patchy Frost

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph W
Destination
67°F
Tuesday

Areas Of Frost then Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 21 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph SE

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.

  1. 1

    Start on North College Avenue

    12 m · 9 sec · North College Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    617 ft · 23 sec · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Thompson Memorial Drive

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 81 North: Lexington

    1154 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South: Cloverdale

    1207 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Turn slight right onto Lee Highway

    149 m · 36 sec · Lee Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Lee Highway

    566 ft · 14 sec · Lee Highway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Cloverdale Road

    5 mi · 7 min · Cloverdale Road

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Challenger Avenue Northeast

    1608 ft · 35 sec · Challenger Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Continue on Blue Ridge Boulevard

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike

    14.6 mi · 19 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike

  13. 13

    Continue on Blue Ridge Avenue

    2951 ft · 42 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on US 460 East

    23.7 mi · 30 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward US 501 North: Buena Vista

    1754 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    2859 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    905 ft · 22 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Lynchburg Expressway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street, Concord Turnpike

    750 ft · 19 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Main Street

    98 m · 10 sec · Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn left

    13 m · 10 sec

  22. 22

    Turn sharp right

    13 m · 6 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1061 ft · 31 sec · Main Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Pearl Street

    103 m · 8 sec · Pearl Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Church Street

    2001 ft · 1 min · Church Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    30 m · 4 sec · 10th Street

  27. 27

    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.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 460 East
23.7 mi · 35%
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 22%
I 81 North
10 mi · 15%
Blue Ridge Boulevard
5.49 mi · 8%
Cloverdale Road
4.95 mi · 7%
Lynchburg Expressway
3.63 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US 460 East

Keep slight right to continue on US 460 East

23.7 mi · 00h 30m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
50.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bedford
00h 38m from Salem
Leave By
3:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost leaving Salem and Areas Of Frost then Sunny 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 67.2 miles (108.2 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.6 miles from Salem and 33.7 miles from Lynchburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 50.8 miles (81.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.39 one way or $18.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost around Salem and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Lynchburg.

Stop Ideas Near Bedford

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bedford, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bedford.

RAIL

Kemper Street station

33 mi away
825 Kemper St
BUS

Roanoke

37 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE
RAIL

Clifton Forge

60 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street
BUS

Blacksburg, VA

80 mi away
291 Alumni Mall -- Transit Concourse

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Lynchburg. Straight-line distance: 50.8 mi (81.76 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Salem

Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates37.2934700, -80.0547600
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Lynchburg

#2 Lynchburg

The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Population81,561
Coordinates37.4137500, -79.1422500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: High (-80.054704, 37.293483)
End: 10th Street (-79.142183, 37.413677)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 108 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.37 gal
8.98 L · about $9.39
Round trip
$18.78
4.74 gal · 17.96 L
Estimated CO2
21.1 kg one way
Round trip: 42.1 kg / 93 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $9.39 $18.78
Mid-grade $4.43 $10.50 $20.99
Premium $4.78 $11.32 $22.65
Diesel $5.62 $13.33 $26.66

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

There is no time difference between Salem and Lynchburg. The current time is 12:16:44.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.