Origin
Abingdon, VA
Late night in Abingdon on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Abingdon, VA to Harrisonburg, VA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
231.6 mi
373 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abingdon, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Harrisonburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 231.6-mile drive from Abingdon, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 18 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-81 and I-77, with a brief stint on South Main Street, this route offers a 99% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The drive stays within the Southeast region, making it a familiar landscape for many. It’s a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
115.8 miles from Abingdon, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 99% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 221.2 miles primarily on I-81. This suggests a consistent pace with minimal slowdowns or changes in road type for the majority of your travel. The character is one of steady forward motion, ideal for covering ground quickly. While largely interstate, the initial and final segments might involve navigating local roads like South Main Street.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 221.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 77. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 75 / Cummings Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 (VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 81; US 58): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 75 / Cummings Street
Depart onto VA 75 / Cummings Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 81; US 58
Merge onto I 81; US 58
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
4
205.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
229.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 221.2 mi | 4h 2m |
| I 77 | 7.1 mi | 7m |
| South Main Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Cummings Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Port Republic Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 64 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 221.2 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abingdon, VA and Harrisonburg, VA.
1
Start on VA 75
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
3
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 81
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
9
Turn left onto VA 253
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Port Republic Road
10
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
This 4-hour, 18-minute drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 221.2 miles on I-81, plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long interstate segments, as services can be spaced out. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for.
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 115.8 miles from Abingdon, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.2 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisonburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abingdon, 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 Abingdon, VA
This is one driving day of about 231.6 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Abingdon, 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 81 for about 221.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.8 mi from Abingdon, VA · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.8 miles from Abingdon, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 221.2 miles.
Arriving in Harrisonburg, VA
The final approach into Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg, 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
$36.22 one way
$72.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $39.60 | $79.20 |
| premium | $4.70 | $42.86 | $85.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.13 | $102.27 |
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: 81 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.32 | $11.12 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.26 | $9.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.6 | 1 | $32.42 | $14.82 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night in Harrisonburg on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 18m 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 Abingdon, VA to Harrisonburg, VA covers 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 77, South Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.8 miles from Abingdon, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.22 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 (VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 81; US 58): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Abingdon, VA to Harrisonburg, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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