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Trip from Ashland, VA to Leesburg, VA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

114.4 mi

184 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 14m ★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Virginia, United States

Ashland, VA

Wikimedia Commons

historic town within and the county seat of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States

Leesburg, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 114.4-mile drive from Ashland, VA to Leesburg, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-95 and the Capital Beltway, offering a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, meaning you'll stay within familiar territory. This straightforward drive is ideal for those looking for an efficient journey with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.2 miles from Ashland, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 114.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for 66% of this 114.4-mile journey, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 76 miles on I-95. You'll encounter sections of Leesburg Pike and the Capital Beltway as well. This means you'll likely experience periods of consistent speed on the interstate, punctuated by transitions onto other major roads. While not a scenic byway, the route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 76 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

452 ft 61 ft

Total Climb

608 ft

Total Descent

487 ft

Highest Point

452 ft

~89.9 mi in

Elevation Range

391 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Leesburg Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 54 / England Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 114.4 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: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | VA 54 / England Street

Turn sharp left onto VA 54 / England Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
9
78.6 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
8
91.1 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 45 Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulle...
9
92.9 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike

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 16 Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg...
9
93.2 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ashland, VA and Leesburg, VA, road signs point toward Tysons Corner, Herndon and Dulles Airport.

Tysons Corner

78.6 mi in | ~1h 31m | via I 395

Herndon

91.1 mi in | ~1h 46m

Dulles Airport

91.1 mi in | ~1h 46m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 76 mi 1h 25m
Leesburg Pike 18.1 mi 26m
Capital Beltway 10.5 mi 12m
East Market Street 3 mi 6m
Dulles Toll Road 1.1 mi 1m
England Street 0.9 mi 2m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway 0.6 mi <1m
East Patrick Henry Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 76 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, VA and Leesburg, VA.

1

Start on this road

68 ft · 12 sec · this road
2

Turn sharp left onto VA 54

0.9 mi · 2 min · England Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on VA 54

0.3 mi · 29 sec · East Patrick Henry Road
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 95

39 mi · 42 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 95; US 17
7

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 95

35 mi · 41 min · I 95
Use the slight left lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 395

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 170B Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto I 495

1.0 mi · 1 min · Capital Beltway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

9.5 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 45 Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport Use the slight left lane.
14

Merge onto VA 267

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 22 sec
16

Merge onto VA 267

263 ft · 4 sec · Dulles Toll Road
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 16 Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto VA 7

18 mi · 26 min · Leesburg Pike
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on VA 7

3.0 mi · 6 min · East Market Street
21

Arrive at destination

VA 7 BUS

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2-hour and 23-minute duration, this drive is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for departure times. Consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic on the Capital Beltway. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, planning for one fuel stop is likely sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Leesburg, as the longest stretch on I-95 is substantial. This route is about getting you from point A to point B efficiently, so pack snacks and enjoy the straightforward journey.

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 57.2 miles from Ashland, VA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76 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 25 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.2 miles or 1h 5m 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 50m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ashland, 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 Ashland, VA

This is one driving day of about 114.4 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ashland, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 76 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.2 mi from Ashland, VA · 1h 5m into the drive

census-designated place in Prince William County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Woodbridge, VA

57 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

Bowling Green, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dumfries, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.2 miles from Ashland, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76 miles.

Arriving in Leesburg, VA

The final approach into Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, VA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.89 one way

$35.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.56 $39.12
premium $4.70 $21.17 $42.35
diesel $5.61 $25.26 $50.52

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Dulles Toll Road (1.1 mi) $0.23

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.3 0 $12.01 $5.49
Efficient EV 28.6 0 $10.01 $4.58
EV Truck/SUV 45.8 0 $16.02 $7.32

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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

Ashland, VA

Late night in Ashland on Friday

Local time

2:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Leesburg, VA

Late night in Leesburg on Friday

Local time

2:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Woodbridge, VA

57 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

4 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

2h 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 Ashland, VA to Leesburg, VA covers 114.4 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Leesburg Pike, Capital Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.2 miles from Ashland, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.89 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 114.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ashland, VA and Leesburg, VA, road signs point toward Tysons Corner, Herndon and Dulles Airport.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 61 ft to 452 ft elevation with about 608 ft of total climbing.

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