How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Salem, VA?
The driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA to Salem, VA is about 293.8 miles (472.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.8 miles (365 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 05h 37m.
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.
County in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Virginia Beach and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach and Salem.
-
1
Start on 25th Street
37 m · 8 sec · 25th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
1213 ft · 34 sec · Pacific Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 22nd Street
2796 ft · 46 sec · 22nd Street
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4
Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
10.6 mi · 14 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
2141 ft · 52 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway
1.4 km · 2 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
2025 ft · 49 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
11.9 mi · 17 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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9
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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10
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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11
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Charlottesville
2936 ft · 55 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
120.3 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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17
Keep slight left
51.5 mi · 57 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 311: Salem
157 m · 13 sec
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19
Keep slight right
129 m · 10 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Thompson Memorial Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Thompson Memorial Drive
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21
Turn right onto East Main Street
617 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
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22
Turn right onto North College Avenue
12 m · 2 sec · North College Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North College Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia Beach and Salem.
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 West
Merge slight left onto I 64 West: Charlottesville
120 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Virginia Beach and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Virginia Beach to Salem?
The road trip is about 293.8 miles (472.9 km) and usually takes 05h 37m 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?
Louisa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.7 miles from Virginia Beach and 147.1 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.8 miles (365 km), while the road route adds roughly 67 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:46 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.62 one way or $81.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Virginia Beach and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Louisa
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 Louisa.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Ashland
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia Beach and Salem. Straight-line distance: 226.78 mi (364.96 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Salem
Salem is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.2934700, -80.0547600 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-80.05476, 37.29347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.92 | $40.62 | $81.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.41 | $45.77 | $91.55 |
| Premium | $4.82 | $49.99 | $99.99 |
| Diesel | $6.20 | $64.25 | $128.51 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026