Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Salem, VA

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

4h 28m

Distance

212.8 mi

342 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 15m ★

6 AM

4h 29m

8 AM

4h 55m

10 AM

4h 38m

12 PM

4h 35m

3 PM

4h 39m

5 PM

4h 54m

8 PM

4h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chesapeake, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city near Roanoke, Virginia, United States

Salem, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Salem, VA covers 212.8 miles and takes about 4h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, Spotswood Trail, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.3 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.28 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

106.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Salem, VA covers 212.8 miles and takes about 4h 28m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 212.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (US 460 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 6B Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul...

2.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 460 ALT

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 9 Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard

2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 460 ALT

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT toward Saint Paul's Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard

83.3 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

83.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Washington

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Chesapeake, VA and Salem, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Palmyra.

Rocky Mount

83.3 mi in | ~1h 43m

Palmyra

148.4 mi in | ~2h 55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	101.3 mi	1h 50m
Spotswood Trail	30.6 mi	41m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
4th Street	11.4 mi	17m
James Madison Highway	10.8 mi	15m
Hampton Roads Beltway	9.6 mi	12m
North East Side Highway	4.3 mi	6m
Granby Street	4 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.3 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, VA and Salem, VA.

Start on D Street

412 ft · 20 sec · D Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 460; VA 166

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 464 North

Merge onto I 464

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 464

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 6B Toward I 264 East: Waterside Drive, Saint Paul Boulevard, Downtown, Norfolk Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 460 ALT

Exit 9 Toward Waterside Drive, St Paul's Boulevard Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT

0.3 mi · 53 sec · US 460 ALT

Toward Saint Paul's Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 460 ALT

0.6 mi · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 460

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

Turn left onto US 460

486 ft · 13 sec · Church Street

Continue on US 460

4.0 mi · 9 min · Granby Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 64

Merge onto I 64

3.8 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

5.9 mi · 7 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

61 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 295

23 mi · 24 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 55 sec

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Merge onto I 64

40 mi · 43 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward US 15: Gordonsville, Palmyra

Turn straight onto US 15

11 mi · 15 min · James Madison Highway

Continue on US 15; US 33

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Martinsburg Avenue

Continue on US 15; US 33

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 231

117 ft · 1 sec · North Main Street

Continue on US 33; VA 231

0.2 mi · 13 sec · North Main Street

Continue on US 33

5.4 mi · 8 min · Spotswood Trail

Enter roundabout onto US 33; VA 20

83 ft · 1 sec · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33; VA 20

12 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33

2.2 mi · 2 min · Stanardsville By-Pass

Continue on US 33

13 mi · 16 min · Spotswood Trail

Take the exit onto US 33 BUS

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 33 BUS

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 33 BUS

363 ft · 11 sec · US 33 BUS

Continue on US 340

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Stuart Avenue

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on US 340

4.3 mi · 6 min · North East Side Highway

Continue on US 340

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Third Street

Continue on US 340

0.1 mi · 18 sec · 3rd Street

Continue on US 340

11 mi · 17 min · 4th Street

Turn right onto US 211; US 340

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 211; US 340

Turn left onto SR 615

204 ft · 11 sec · Egypt Bend Road

Turn sharp right

189 ft · 15 sec

Turn uturn onto US 211; US 340

224 ft · 11 sec · US 211; US 340

Arrive at destination

US 211; US 340

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 106.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 106.4 miles or 2h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 34m

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 Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA

This is one driving day of about 212.8 miles and 4h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chesapeake, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 101.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.4 mi from Chesapeake, VA · 2h 10m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

106 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.3 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.28 one way

$66.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$36.39	$72.77
premium	$4.70	$39.38	$78.77
diesel	$5.61	$46.98	$93.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	63.8	0	$22.34	$10.21
Efficient EV	53.2	0	$18.62	$8.51
EV Truck/SUV	85.1	1	$29.79	$13.62

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Chesapeake, VA

Morning in Chesapeake on Wednesday

Local time

8:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salem, VA

Morning in Salem on Wednesday

Local time

8:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

106 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

50 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

4h 28m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Chesapeake, VA to Salem, VA covers 212.8 miles and takes about 4h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Spotswood Trail, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 106.4 miles from Chesapeake, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Chesapeake, VA and Salem, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Palmyra.

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Trip from Chesapeake, VA to Salem, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Salem, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chesapeake, VA

Salem, VA

Same local time

50 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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