Origin
Broadlands, VA
Morning in Broadlands on Friday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Broadlands, VA to Charlottesville, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
102.5 mi
165 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Broadlands, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Charlottesville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Broadlands, VA to Charlottesville, VA covers 102.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on James Madison Highway, North Seminole Trail, James Monroe Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34.4 miles on James Madison Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.03 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
51.2 miles from Broadlands, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 102.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 28m drive with frequent turns across 102.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James Madison Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 34.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in near US 50 / Little River Turnpike.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 102.5 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 10 miles (US 50 / Little River Turnpike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 24.2 miles (US 15; US 29 / Lee Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
10 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 50 / Little River Turnpike
Enter roundabout onto US 50 / Little River Turnpike
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
24.2 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 15; US 29 / Lee Highway
Turn right onto US 15; US 29 / Lee Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
31.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
5
32 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 15; US 17; US 29 / Eastern Bypass
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29 / Eastern Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
99.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
SR 743 / Hydraulic Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 743 / Hydraulic Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James Madison Highway | 34.4 mi | 46m |
| North Seminole Trail | 33.8 mi | 47m |
| James Monroe Highway | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Lee Highway | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Northstar Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Little River Turnpike | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Eastern Bypass | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Belmont Ridge Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
James Madison Highway
— 34.4 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broadlands, VA and Charlottesville, VA.
1
Start on Chickacoan Trail Drive
117 ft
·
6 sec
·
Chickacoan Trail Drive
2
Turn right onto SR 2119
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Truro Parish Drive
3
Turn left onto SR 659
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Belmont Ridge Road
4
Continue on SR 3171
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Northstar Boulevard
5
Turn right onto US 50
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Little River Turnpike
6
Continue on Little River Turnpike
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Little River Turnpike
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Little River Turnpike
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Little River Turnpike
8
Enter roundabout onto US 50
136 ft
·
4 sec
·
Little River Turnpike
9
Continue on US 50
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Little River Turnpike
10
Enter roundabout onto SR 884
188 ft
·
6 sec
·
Howsers Branch Drive
11
Continue on SR 884
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Howsers Branch Drive
12
Enter roundabout onto US 15
203 ft
·
3 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
13
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
James Monroe Highway
14
Continue on US 15
11 mi
·
16 min
·
James Madison Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto US 15; US 29
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Lee Highway
Use the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
17
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
James Madison Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi
·
23 min
·
James Madison Highway
20
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 29
34 mi
·
47 min
·
North Seminole Trail
22
Turn left onto SR 743
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
Use the left lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto SR 743
96 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
24
Continue on SR 743
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
25
Turn left onto US 250
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
U.S. 250 Bypass
26
Take the exit
482 ft
·
20 sec
Toward Park Street
27
Turn right onto Park Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Street
28
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
315 ft
·
12 sec
·
East High Street
29
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Street Northeast
30
Arrive at destination
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 51.2 miles from Broadlands, VA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.4 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 23 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlottesville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Broadlands, 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 Broadlands, VA
This is one driving day of about 102.5 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Broadlands, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James Madison Highway for about 34.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.2 mi from Broadlands, VA · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.2 miles from Broadlands, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charlottesville, VA
The final approach into Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, 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
$16.03 one way
$32.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.53 | $35.05 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.97 | $37.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.63 | $45.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.22
Little River Turnpike
(1.8 mi)
$0.12
Little River Turnpike
(1.5 mi)
$0.10
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.76 | $4.92 |
| Efficient EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41 | 0 | $14.35 | $6.56 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Charlottesville, VA
Morning in Charlottesville on Friday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m 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 Broadlands, VA to Charlottesville, VA covers 102.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James Madison Highway, North Seminole Trail, James Monroe Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.2 miles from Broadlands, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.03 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 16 significant decision points across 102.5 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: at 10 miles (US 50 / Little River Turnpike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 24.2 miles (US 15; US 29 / Lee Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Broadlands, VA to Charlottesville, VA 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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