How far is Salem, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to McLean, VA is about 232 miles (373.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Widespread Frost
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 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
21.5 mi · 26 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
3015 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
2182 ft · 53 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi · 4 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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15
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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16
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.
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 Widespread Frost 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 232 miles (373.4 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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 115.9 miles from Salem and 116.1 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.44 one way or $64.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost around Salem and Widespread Frost near McLean.
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 McLean. Straight-line distance: 193.16 mi (310.86 km).
#1 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| 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: 373 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $32.44 | $64.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.27 | $72.55 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.13 | $78.26 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.06 | $92.12 |
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.