Origin
Salem, OR
Morning in Salem on Friday
Local time
8:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, OR to Stafford, OR
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
34.4 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Stafford, OR
Martin Dalsgaard
Trip Overview
This straightforward 34.4-mile drive from Salem, Oregon to Stafford, Oregon, is easily manageable in about 46 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-5, with portions on Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway and Southwest Stafford Road, keeping you on highways for about 85% of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $7, this drive is budget-friendly. As both destinations are within the Pacific Coast region, you won't be crossing major geographical divides, ensuring a consistent feel throughout your journey. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, this trip is ideal for a quick excursion or an easy leg of a larger Pacific Northwest adventure.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 34.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 85% of the 34.4 miles on high-speed roads like I-5. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 26.3 miles on I-5, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the majority of the route is on the interstate, the transition onto Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway and then Southwest Stafford Road will introduce some local road driving as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and a more grounded approach as you enter Stafford.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 26.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Chemeketa Street Northeast.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 34.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chemeketa Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Liberty Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Chemeketa Street Northeast
Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Liberty Street Northeast
Turn right onto Liberty Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 North: Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Portland
8
31 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 5
Take the exit onto I 5 toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry Road
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 286
Toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry Road
8
31.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward Elligsen Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Elligsen Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 26.3 mi | 31m |
| Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Stafford Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Liberty Street Northeast | 1.5 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Elligsen Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Commercial Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| High Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chemeketa Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 26.3 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, OR and Stafford, OR.
1
Start on High Street Northeast
469 ft
·
19 sec
·
High Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto Chemeketa Street Northeast
447 ft
·
19 sec
·
Chemeketa Street Northeast
3
Turn right onto Liberty Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Street Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto Division Street Northeast
350 ft
·
11 sec
·
Division Street Northeast
5
Turn right onto OR 99E Bus
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Commercial Street Northeast
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on OR 99E Bus
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Street Northeast
7
Turn right onto OR 99E Bus
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
I 5
Toward I 5 North: Portland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 5
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 5
Exit 286
Toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
212 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 5
Toward Elligsen Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn slight right onto Southwest Elligsen Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Elligsen Road
Use the straight lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 65th Avenue
195 ft
·
11 sec
·
Southwest 65th Avenue
13
Turn left onto Southwest Stafford Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest Stafford Road
14
Turn left
22 ft
·
1 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.2 mi from Salem, OR · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Salem, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stafford, OR
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Stafford, OR if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.85 one way
$13.71 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $7.25 | $14.50 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.57 | $15.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.60 | $15.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Stafford, OR
Morning in Stafford on Friday
Local time
8:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°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
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
46m 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 Salem, OR to Stafford, OR covers 34.4 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway, Southwest Stafford 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 17.2 miles from Salem, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.85 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 short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 34.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chemeketa Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Liberty Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Salem, OR to Stafford, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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