Origin
Ashland, VA
Late night in Ashland on Friday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
608 ft
Total Descent
487 ft
Highest Point
452 ft
~89.9 mi in
Elevation Range
391 ft
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto VA 54 / England Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
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
Herndon
Dulles Airport
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, VA and Leesburg, VA.
Start on this road
Turn sharp left onto VA 54
Continue on VA 54
Turn left
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Take the exit
Merge onto VA 267
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto VA 267
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto VA 7
Continue on VA 7
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$17.89 one way
$35.78 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Ashland on Friday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Leesburg on Friday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Ashland, VA or browse trips ending in Leesburg, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.