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Trip from Charlottesville, VA to Annandale, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

108.8 mi

175 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 21m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m

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

Downtown Charlottesville, VA, VA

Charlottesville, VA

Wikimedia Commons

census designated place in Virginia, United Stetes

Annandale, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Annandale, VA covers 108.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway, I 66 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.01 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

54.4 miles from Charlottesville, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 108.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Annandale, VA covers 108.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m, 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 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Seminole Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 33.9 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 70.3 miles in near US 15; US 29.

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 108.8 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 70.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 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.

8
70.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | US 15; US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North

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

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
8
103.6 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria

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

Use the right lane. Exit 64A Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
106.9 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Take the exit toward VA 236: Fairfax, Annandale

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52A-B Toward VA 236: Fairfax, Annandale
7
107 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Annandale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Anna...
9
107.3 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 236 East: Annandale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 52B Toward VA 236 East: Annandale

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Seminole Trail 33.9 mi 48m
James Madison Highway 23.3 mi 30m
I 66 20.8 mi 25m
US 15 11.7 mi 17m
James Monroe Highway 7.7 mi 9m
Capital Beltway 2.9 mi 3m
Eastern Bypass 2.4 mi 3m
U.S. 250 Bypass 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Seminole Trail — 33.9 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Annandale, VA.

1

Start on this road

233 ft · 22 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto US 250 BUS

180 ft · 9 sec · East Market Street
3

Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast

0.1 mi · 31 sec · 7th Street Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto US 250 BUS

315 ft · 14 sec · East High Street
5

Turn right onto Park Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Park Street
6

Turn left

252 ft · 7 sec
7

Take the ramp

141 ft · 3 sec
Toward US 250 West
8

Merge onto US 250

1.5 mi · 2 min · U.S. 250 Bypass
9

Turn right onto SR 743

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Hydraulic Road
10

Enter roundabout onto SR 743

94 ft · 2 sec · Hydraulic Road
11

Continue on SR 743

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Hydraulic Road
12

Turn right onto US 29

34 mi · 48 min · Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on US 29

7.7 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway
14

Continue on US 15; US 29

23 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
15

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

12 mi · 17 min · US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto I 66

21 mi · 25 min · I 66
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 64A Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria Use the right lane.
20

Merge onto I 495

2.9 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 52A-B Toward VA 236: Fairfax, Annandale Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Annandale
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 52B Toward VA 236 East: Annandale Use the right lane.
24

Turn straight onto VA 236

1.2 mi · 2 min · Little River Turnpike
25

Arrive at destination

VA 236

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 54.4 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 24 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 54.4 miles or 1h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 5m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, VA

This is one driving day of about 108.8 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Charlottesville, 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 Seminole Trail for about 33.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 54.4 mi from Charlottesville, VA · 1h 18m into the drive

city in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Culpeper, VA

54 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

Lexington, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Culpeper, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.4 miles from Charlottesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Annandale, VA

The final approach into Annandale, 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 Annandale, 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

$17.01 one way

$34.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.60 $37.21
premium $4.70 $20.14 $40.27
diesel $5.61 $24.02 $48.04

Estimated Tolls: $0.09

Little River Turnpike (1.2 mi) $0.09

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

$17

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.6 0 $11.42 $5.22
Efficient EV 27.2 0 $9.52 $4.35
EV Truck/SUV 43.5 0 $15.23 $6.96

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (66% 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

Charlottesville, VA

Afternoon in Charlottesville on Friday

Local time

12:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Annandale, VA

Afternoon in Annandale on Friday

Local time

12:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°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

3 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 31m 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 Charlottesville, VA to Annandale, VA covers 108.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway, I 66. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 54.4 miles from Charlottesville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.01 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.

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 17 significant decision points across 108.8 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 70.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Charlottesville, VA to Annandale, 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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