The drive from Arlington, VA to Salem, VA covers 92.9 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Custis Memorial Parkway, Stonewall Jackson Highway, US 340 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.3 miles on Custis Memorial Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.4 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 92.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 2m highway drive covering 92.9 miles, with most of the trip on Custis Memorial Parkway and Stonewall Jackson Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.3 miles on Custis Memorial Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Custis Memorial Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 57.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Custis Memorial Parkway and Stonewall Jackson Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Fairfax Drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Fairfax Drive
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
4
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road
Turn left onto VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road
Navigation decision point
5
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 340
Take the ramp onto US 340 toward US 211 West, US 340 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 211 West, US 340 South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Salem, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Front Royal along the way.
Front Royal
58.6 mi in|~1h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Custis Memorial Parkway
57.3 mi
1h 6m
Stonewall Jackson Highway
22.6 mi
32m
US 340
5.7 mi
8m
John Marshall Highway
4.7 mi
7m
Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
South Street
0.5 mi
1m
South Royal Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Apple Mountain Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Custis Memorial Parkway
— 57.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Salem, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·Fairfax Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 66 Toll West
5
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi·4 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
54 mi·1 hr 2 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 13Toward VA 79: Linden, Front RoyalUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto VA 79
0.2 mi·24 sec·Apple Mountain Road
9
Turn right onto VA 55
4.7 mi·7 min·John Marshall Highway
10
Continue on VA 55
0.5 mi·1 min·South Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 340
0.3 mi·54 sec·South Royal Avenue
12
Continue on US 340
23 mi·32 min·Stonewall Jackson Highway
13
Take the ramp onto US 340
5.7 mi·8 min·US 340
Toward US 211 West, US 340 South
14
Arrive at destination
US 211; US 340
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.4 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.4 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 92.9 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Custis Memorial Parkway for about 57.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.4 mi from Arlington, VA
· 56m into the drive
The midpoint is around 46.4 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Salem, VA
The final approach into Salem, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Salem, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 67.2
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$30
near mile 92.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 19.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.53 one way
$29.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.88
$31.77
premium
$4.70
$17.19
$34.39
diesel
$5.61
$20.51
$41.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.9
0
$9.75
$4.46
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.13
$3.72
EV Truck/SUV
37.2
0
$13.01
$5.95
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Morning
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, VA
Morning
in Salem on Friday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
46 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, VA to Salem, VA covers 92.9 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Custis Memorial Parkway, Stonewall Jackson Highway, US 340. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.4 miles from Arlington, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Salem, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Front Royal along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
