The drive from Broadlands, VA to Lynchburg, VA covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 29, James Madison Highway, North Seminole Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.9 miles on US 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.99 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.1 miles from Broadlands, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 166.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Broadlands, VA to Lynchburg, VA covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 46m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.9 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 around 31.5 miles in near US 15; US 29.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 166.2 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 31.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
6
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
165.6 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Riverfront
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
7
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown, Riverfront
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
6
165.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|Pearl Street
Turn left onto Pearl Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
61.9 mi
1h 16m
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
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 61.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broadlands, VA and Lynchburg, 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
Continue on US 29
0.3 mi·41 sec·Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto US 29
62 mi·1 hr 16 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 210 West: Downtown Lynchburg
25
Turn right onto VA 210
2.3 mi·3 min·Old Town Connector
26
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Use the left lane.
27
Merge onto US 29 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Amherst Highway
28
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·17 sec·Lynchburg Expressway
29
Take the exit
494 ft·28 sec
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
30
Keep slight left at fork
119 ft·10 sec
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
31
Turn left onto Main Street
37 ft·5 sec·Main Street
32
Turn left onto Pearl Street
337 ft·7 sec·Pearl Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Church Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Church Street
34
Turn right onto 10th Street
98 ft·4 sec·10th Street
35
Arrive at destination
10th Street
Trip Plan
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 83.1 miles from Broadlands, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.9 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 37 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lynchburg, 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 166.2 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Broadlands, 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 US 29 for about 61.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.1 mi from Broadlands, VA
· 1h 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Broadlands, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.9 miles.
Arriving in Lynchburg, VA
The final approach into Lynchburg, 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 Lynchburg, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 74.5
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 160.5
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.99 one way
$51.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.42
$56.84
premium
$4.70
$30.76
$61.52
diesel
$5.61
$36.69
$73.39
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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.45
$7.98
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
EV Truck/SUV
66.5
0
$23.27
$10.64
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Broadlands, VA
Morning
in Broadlands on Friday
Local time
9:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lynchburg, VA
Morning
in Lynchburg on Friday
Local time
9:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
25 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
3h 46m 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 Lynchburg, VA covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, James Madison Highway, North Seminole Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.1 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 $25.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 166.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Broadlands, VA to Lynchburg, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Shenandoah National Park and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets —
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap
for geometry@if($hasFuel),
EIA
for fuel prices@endif@if($hasWeather),
NOAA Climate Normals
for seasonal conditions@endif@if($hasElevation),
USGS 3DEP
for elevation@endif@if($hasEv),
NREL
for EV charging@endif@if($hasParks),
and NPS
for national parks@endif. See our
methodology
for refresh cadence and limitations.
