Origin
Gresham, OR
Afternoon in Gresham on Wednesday
Local time
4:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gresham, OR to Salem, OR
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
58.7 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gresham, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 58.7-mile drive from Gresham, OR to Salem, OR takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes, making it an easy day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 81% of the journey on major roads like I-5 and I-205. You'll spend about $12 on fuel for this trip. Since it's a relatively short drive with no designated stops, you can be quite flexible with your departure time. Both Gresham and Salem are in the Pacific Coast region, so you'll be staying within the familiar landscapes of Oregon.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.3 miles from Gresham, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 58.7-mile journey, with a significant 81% of your travel time spent on major interstates like I-5 and I-205. The longest stretch you'll encounter without a significant change in road type is 28.2 miles on I-5. While the initial part might involve navigating local roads like Southeast Foster Road, the majority of the drive is characterized by fast-paced interstate travel. This profile suggests a direct and efficient route, prioritizing speed over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Southeast 174th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Southeast 174th Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Southeast Foster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
7.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Southeast 94th Avenue
Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 205
Merge onto I 205
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Salem
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 28.2 mi | 33m |
| I 205 | 16.6 mi | 21m |
| Southeast Foster Road | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Powell Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Commercial Street Northeast | 1 mi | 2m |
| Southeast Jenne Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Southeast 174th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 28.2 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gresham, OR and Salem, OR.
1
Start on this road
118 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 26
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Powell Boulevard
3
Continue on US 26
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Southeast Powell Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeast 174th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Southeast Jenne Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Jenne Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Southeast Foster Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Southeast 94th Avenue
Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 205
17 mi
·
21 min
·
I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
508 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 5 South: Salem
11
Merge onto I 5
28 mi
·
32 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Exit 260A
Toward OR 99E Business: Salem Parkway
13
Merge onto OR 99E Bus
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
14
Continue on OR 99E Bus
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Commercial Street Northeast
15
Turn left onto Belmont Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Belmont Street Northeast
16
Turn right onto Broadway Street Northeast
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Broadway Street Northeast
17
Continue on High Street Northeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street Northeast
18
Arrive at destination
High Street Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 23-minute duration and $12 fuel cost, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave whenever it suits your schedule, perhaps avoiding the morning rush out of Gresham. Since there are no specific stops recommended, you can easily break up the drive with a quick rest stop on I-5 if needed, especially during the longest 28.2-mile stretch. Keep an eye on traffic, particularly as you merge onto I-5, as it can get busy during peak commuting hours.
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 29.3 miles from Gresham, OR, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 13 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.3 miles or 45m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gresham, OR so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gresham, OR
This is one driving day of about 58.7 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Gresham, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 28.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.3 mi from Gresham, OR · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.3 miles from Gresham, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Salem, OR
The final approach into Salem, OR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.69 one way
$23.39 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $12.38 | $24.75 |
| premium | $5.59 | $12.92 | $25.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.96 | $25.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.16 | $2.82 |
| Efficient EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.14 | $2.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.22 | $3.76 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Salem, OR
Afternoon in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
4:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
1h 23m 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 Gresham, OR to Salem, OR covers 58.7 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 205, Southeast Foster Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.3 miles from Gresham, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.69 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Gresham, OR to Salem, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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