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Trip from Vernonia, OR to Salem, OR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

82.7 mi

133 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m

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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Downtown Vernonia, OR, OR

Vernonia, OR

alex ohan

seat of Marion County, and capital of Oregon, USA

Salem, OR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Vernonia, OR to Salem, OR covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, Northwest Sunset Highway, Northwest Highway 47 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.1 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.47 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

41.3 miles from Vernonia, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 82.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from Vernonia, OR to Salem, OR covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 32.1 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 early in the drive near Adams Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Adams Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles (US 26; OR 47 / Northwest Sunset Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Adams Avenue

Turn right onto Adams Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
14.6 mi into trip | ~20m in | US 26; OR 47 / Northwest Sunset Highway

At end of road, turn left onto US 26; OR 47 / Northwest Sunset Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
38.2 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem

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 69A Toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem
5
38.5 mi into trip | ~54m in | OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway

Merge onto OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
45.4 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 5 South: Salem

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Salem

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 32.1 mi 38m
Northwest Sunset Highway 23.6 mi 32m
Northwest Highway 47 7.8 mi 10m
Beaverton-Tigard Freeway 6.8 mi 9m
Nehalem Highway South 6.1 mi 8m
Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway 3 mi 4m
Commercial Street Northeast 1 mi 2m
Rose Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 32.1 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vernonia, OR and Salem, OR.

1

Start on OR 47

14 ft · 2 sec · Bridge Street
2

Turn right onto Adams Avenue

309 ft · 10 sec · Adams Avenue
3

Turn right onto Maple Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Maple Street
4

Turn left onto OR 47

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Rose Avenue
5

Continue on OR 47

6.1 mi · 8 min · Nehalem Highway South
6

Continue on OR 47

7.8 mi · 10 min · Northwest Highway 47
Use the left lane.
7

At end of road, turn left onto US 26; OR 47

3.9 mi · 5 min · Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on US 26

20 mi · 26 min · Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 69A Toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto OR 217

6.8 mi · 9 min · Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 5

32 mi · 37 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit onto I 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 5
Exit 260A Toward OR 99E Business: Salem Parkway
14

Merge onto OR 99E Bus

3.0 mi · 4 min · Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
15

Continue on OR 99E Bus

1.0 mi · 2 min · Commercial Street Northeast
16

Turn left onto Belmont Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Belmont Street Northeast
17

Turn right onto Broadway Street Northeast

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Broadway Street Northeast
18

Continue on High Street Northeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · High Street Northeast
19

Arrive at destination

High Street Northeast

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 41.3 miles from Vernonia, OR, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 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 18 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.3 miles or 58m 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 32m

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 Vernonia, OR so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Vernonia, OR

This is one driving day of about 82.7 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Vernonia, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 32.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 41.3 mi from Vernonia, OR · 58m into the drive

city in Oregon, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Forest Grove, OR

41 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

Forest Grove, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Beaverton, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Vernonia, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Encore Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Salem, Oregon

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 82.7

Hours: Closed

+15039915792

Visit website

Country Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Woodburn, Oregon

0.4 mi

Golden Valley Brewery and Restaurant -Beaverton

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Beaverton, Oregon

0.5 mi

Encore Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 82.7

Salem, Oregon

Hours: Closed

+15039915792

Visit website

Country Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.9

Woodburn, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15039823883

Visit website

Golden Valley Brewery and Restaurant -Beaverton

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 35.4

Beaverton, Oregon

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15039721599

Visit website

White's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.7

Salem, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15033630297

Visit website

Gubanc's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 47.2

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15036352102

Visit website

The Manila Fiesta

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.7

Salem, Oregon

Hours: 2–7 pm

+19713325578

Cafe Marzocca Italian Espresso Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.2

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+15036365001

Visit website

The Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 41.3

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15034778741

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 29.5

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 11.8

Buxton, Oregon

+18665761495

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 29.5

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.6

North Plains, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 29.5

North Plains, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.6

Banks, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 29.5

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 29.5

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Riverfront City Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 82.7

Salem, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15035886336

Visit website

Gilbert House Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 82.7

Salem, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15033713631

Visit website

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 29.5

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15036472418

Visit website

Portal Adventures - Escape Rooms Beaverton

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 35.4

Beaverton, Oregon

Hours: 2–9 pm

+15037473195

Visit website

Portland Escape Rooms- Beaverton

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 41.3

Beaverton, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15038934228

Visit website

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 11.8

Buxton, OR

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18005516949

Visit website

Greenway Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 41.3

Beaverton, OR

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15036296360

Visit website

Vernonia Pioneer Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Vernonia, Oregon

Hours: Closed

+15034293713

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.47 one way

$32.95 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $17.44 $34.87
premium $5.59 $18.20 $36.41
diesel $5.61 $18.26 $36.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.8 0 $8.68 $3.97
Efficient EV 20.7 0 $7.24 $3.31
EV Truck/SUV 33.1 0 $11.58 $5.29

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Vernonia, OR

Morning in Vernonia on Saturday

Local time

8:03 AM

PDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salem, OR

Morning in Salem on Saturday

Local time

8:03 AM

PDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

24 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 51m 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 Vernonia, OR to Salem, OR covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, Northwest Sunset Highway, Northwest Highway 47. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Vernonia, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.47 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 82.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Adams Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles (US 26; OR 47 / Northwest Sunset Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Vernonia, OR to Salem, 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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