How far is Salem, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance from Salem, VA to Richmond, VA is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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 02h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Richmond.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Richmond.
-
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
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
99.3 mi · 1 hr 50 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
953 ft · 15 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 195 South
1076 ft · 17 sec
-
9
Continue on Beltline Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Beltline Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
969 ft · 24 sec
-
11
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
866 ft · 32 sec · North Hamilton Street
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12
Turn left onto West Broad Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street
-
13
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
651 ft · 18 sec · North Allen Avenue
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14
Enter the roundabout toward Marcus-David Peters Circle
84 m · 8 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Richmond.
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
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
99.3 mi · 01h 50m
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.
Patchy Frost leaving Salem and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Richmond.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Richmond?
The road trip is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.6 miles from Salem and 93 miles from Richmond.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost around Salem and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Richmond.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro
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 Waynesboro.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 143.49 mi (230.93 km).
#1 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| Country | United States |
End: Robert E. Lee Circle (-77.460437, 37.553637)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.30 | $62.59 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.84 | $73.67 |
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.