Origin
Buena Vista, VA
Night in Buena Vista on Friday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buena Vista, VA to Lynchburg, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
39.6 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buena Vista, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Lynchburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buena Vista to Lynchburg is 39.6 miles and takes about 53 minutes via Elon Road, Glasgow Highway, and South Amherst Highway, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Virginia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a short trip that leans towards local roads, making it a good option if you're looking for a quick, uncomplicated transit between these two towns. You won't be spending a huge chunk of your day on this particular leg, so consider it an easy addition to a larger itinerary or a simple point-to-point journey.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 39.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with a substantial 100% share of highway driving, meaning you'll be navigating a series of connected roads rather than a single, long interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.4 miles on Elon Road. Expect a dynamic drive that requires attention as you transition between different local roads like Elon Road, Glasgow Highway, and South Amherst Highway. It's not a route for setting cruise control for hours, but rather a more engaged, connected-to-the-landscape kind of journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Elon Road is the longest continuous segment at about 23.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.9 miles in near SR 766 / Dillard Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 33.9 miles (SR 766 / Dillard Road): Navigation decision point; at 35.5 miles (US 29 BUS / South Amherst Highway): Navigation decision point; at 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
33.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
SR 766 / Dillard Road
Turn right onto SR 766 / Dillard Road
Navigation decision point
4
35.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 29 BUS / South Amherst Highway
Turn right onto US 29 BUS / South Amherst Highway
Navigation decision point
6
39 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
39.1 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
39.1 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
Pearl Street
Turn left onto Pearl Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Elon Road | 23.4 mi | 31m |
| Glasgow Highway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| South Amherst Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Sycamore Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Dillard Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Lynchburg Expressway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 21st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Elon Road
— 23.4 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista, VA and Lynchburg, VA.
1
Start on East 21st Street
444 ft
·
26 sec
·
East 21st Street
2
Turn left onto US 501
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Sycamore Avenue
3
Continue on US 501
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Glasgow Highway
4
Continue on US 501; VA 130
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Elon Road
5
Turn right onto SR 766
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Dillard Road
6
Turn right onto US 29 BUS
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Amherst Highway
7
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Lynchburg Expressway
8
Take the exit
494 ft
·
28 sec
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
9
Keep slight left at fork
119 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Downtown, Riverfront
10
Turn left onto Main Street
37 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
11
Turn left onto Pearl Street
337 ft
·
7 sec
·
Pearl Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Church Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Church Street
13
Turn right onto 10th Street
98 ft
·
4 sec
·
10th Street
14
Arrive at destination
10th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.8 mi from Buena Vista, VA · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Buena Vista, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lynchburg, VA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Lynchburg, VA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.19 one way
$12.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.77 | $13.54 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.74 | $17.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
| Efficient EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.47 | $1.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Lynchburg, VA
Night in Lynchburg on Friday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Glasgow, VA
20 mi in
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
27 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
53m 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 Buena Vista, VA to Lynchburg, VA covers 39.6 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Elon Road, Glasgow Highway, South Amherst Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.8 miles from Buena Vista, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.19 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 33.9 miles (SR 766 / Dillard Road): Navigation decision point; at 35.5 miles (US 29 BUS / South Amherst Highway): Navigation decision point; at 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Buena Vista, VA to Lynchburg, 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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