Trip from Salem, VA to Virginia Beach, VA

Drive Time

4h 40m

Distance

225.7 mi

363 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 27m ★

6 AM

4h 41m

8 AM

5h 7m

10 AM

4h 50m

12 PM

4h 47m

3 PM

4h 51m

5 PM

5h 6m

8 PM

4h 32m

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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Salem, VA

Photography Maghradze PH

Trip Overview

Traveling from Salem to Virginia Beach covers 225.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, it is a straightforward journey that you can easily accomplish in a single day. Budgeting approximately $36 for fuel will get you from the mountains to the coast without much fuss. While the trip is manageable in one go, you will only need one planned stop to keep your energy up. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that connects the inland parts of the state directly to the Atlantic shoreline.

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

112.9 miles from Salem, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a highway-focused profile, with 61% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on I-64, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Spotswood Trail to navigate your way east. Be prepared for a substantial 106.8-mile stretch on I-64, which acts as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. The road transitions from the inland landscape of Salem toward the coastal environment of Virginia Beach, shifting from regional highways to major interstate corridors. Expect a steady, consistent pace that favors efficiency over technical or winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 106.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Spotswood Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 225.7 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 104.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

104.6 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

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 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

128.7 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

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 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

212.3 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in

Take the exit toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth

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 284A Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downto...

212.5 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Va Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 264 East: Va Beach

225.3 mi into trip | ~4h 39m in | Arctic Avenue

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Salem, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Norfolk

104.6 mi in | ~2h 16m

Portsmouth

212.3 mi in | ~4h 20m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	106.8 mi	1h 58m
Spotswood Trail	30.5 mi	41m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
US 340	17.1 mi	26m
Hampton Roads Beltway	12 mi	15m
Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway	11.8 mi	16m
James Madison Highway	11 mi	15m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 106.8 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 211; US 340

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 211; US 340

Continue on US 340

17 mi · 26 min · US 340

Turn left onto US 33 BUS

0.3 mi · 38 sec · US 33 BUS

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 33

13 mi · 16 min · Spotswood Trail

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto US 33

2.2 mi · 3 min · Stanardsville By-Pass

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 33

12 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 33

167 ft · 3 sec · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33

5.4 mi · 8 min · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33; VA 231

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North Main Street

Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 33

72 ft · 0 sec · US 15; US 33

Continue on US 15; US 33

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 15; US 33

Turn slight right onto US 15; US 33

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Martinsburg Avenue

Continue on US 15; US 33

11 mi · 15 min · James Madison Highway

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Merge onto I 64

40 mi · 43 min · I 64

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

12 mi · 15 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 284A Toward I 264 East, I 264 West: Va Beach, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 264 East: Va Beach Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 264

12 mi · 16 min · Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on 21st Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Arctic Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Arctic Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto 25th Street

454 ft · 12 sec · 25th Street

Arrive at destination

25th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 225.7-mile trek, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you approach the busy Virginia Beach area. Since the drive is under five hours, you have the flexibility to power through, but scheduling your one recommended stop midway will help maintain focus during the long interstate sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 106.8-mile stretch on I-64 to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station during the most congested parts of the drive. Planning your single stop in advance will keep your arrival time predictable and stress-free.

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 112.9 miles from Salem, VA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.8 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 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.9 miles or 2h 25m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia Beach, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, VA

This is one driving day of about 225.7 miles and 4h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salem, 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 106.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 112.9 mi from Salem, VA · 2h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

113 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 112.9 miles from Salem, 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 106.8 miles.

Arriving in Virginia Beach, VA

The final approach into Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, 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

$36.12 one way

$72.24 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$39.36	$78.71
premium	$4.78	$42.46	$84.91
diesel	$5.64	$50.14	$100.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.7	0	$23.70	$10.83
Efficient EV	56.4	0	$19.75	$9.03
EV Truck/SUV	90.3	1	$31.60	$14.44

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Salem, VA

Evening in Salem on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Virginia Beach, VA

Evening in Virginia Beach on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

113 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

27 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 40m 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 Salem, VA to Virginia Beach, VA covers 225.7 miles and takes about 4h 40m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 112.9 miles from Salem, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.12 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 Salem, VA and Virginia Beach, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Portsmouth.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Virginia Beach, VA to Salem, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

224.8 mi 4h 41m

Continue From Virginia Beach, VA

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