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Trip from Charlottesville, VA to Ashburn, VA

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

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

105.1 mi

169 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Charlottesville, VA, VA

Charlottesville, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ashburn, VA, VA

Ashburn, VA

Curtis Adams

Trip Overview

The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Ashburn, VA covers 105.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m 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, 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 $16.44 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

52.6 miles from Charlottesville, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 105.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (13%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 34m drive with frequent turns across 105.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 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. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 250 BUS / East Market Street.

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 105.1 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 250 BUS / East Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (7th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 743 / Hydraulic Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 250 BUS / East Market Street

Turn left onto US 250 BUS / East Market Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 7th Street Northeast

Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | SR 743 / Hydraulic Road

Enter roundabout onto SR 743 / Hydraulic Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
6
103.3 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | SR 642 / Hay Road

Turn right onto SR 642 / Hay Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
James Madison Highway 34.4 mi 46m
Seminole Trail 33.9 mi 48m
James Monroe Highway 10 mi 12m
US 15 8.1 mi 11m
Northstar Boulevard 4.1 mi 7m
Little River Turnpike 3.7 mi 5m
Belmont Ridge Road 3.4 mi 6m
Eastern Bypass 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: James Madison Highway — 34.4 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Ashburn, 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

8.1 mi · 11 min · US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
17

Turn left onto US 15

11 mi · 16 min · James Madison Highway
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 15

2.3 mi · 3 min · James Monroe Highway
19

Enter roundabout onto SR 884

12 ft · 0 sec · Howsers Branch Drive
20

Continue on SR 884

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Howsers Branch Drive
21

Enter roundabout onto US 50

8 ft · 0 sec · Little River Turnpike
22

Continue on US 50

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Little River Turnpike
23

Enter roundabout onto US 50

86 ft · 2 sec · Little River Turnpike
24

Continue on US 50

3.3 mi · 4 min · Little River Turnpike
25

Turn left onto SR 3171

4.1 mi · 7 min · Northstar Boulevard
26

Continue on SR 659

3.4 mi · 6 min · Belmont Ridge Road
27

Turn right onto SR 642

1.8 mi · 4 min · Hay Road
Use the right lane.
28

At end of road, turn left onto SR 641

59 ft · 2 sec · Ashburn Road
29

Arrive at destination

SR 641

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 52.6 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 1h 16m 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 52.6 miles or 1h 16m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashburn, 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 105.1 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 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 52.6 mi from Charlottesville, VA · 1h 16m into the drive

city in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Culpeper, VA

53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Culpeper, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.6 miles from Charlottesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ashburn, VA

The final approach into Ashburn, 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 Ashburn, 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

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!

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 105.1
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park

National Park

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 29
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour $20 near mile 105.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.44 one way

$32.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.97 $35.94
premium $4.70 $19.45 $38.90
diesel $5.61 $23.20 $46.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Little River Turnpike (3.3 mi) $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

$16

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: 36.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.5 0 $11.04 $5.04
Efficient EV 26.3 0 $9.20 $4.20
EV Truck/SUV 42 0 $14.71 $6.73

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

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

4:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashburn, VA

Afternoon in Ashburn on Friday

Local time

4:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 34m 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 Ashburn, VA covers 105.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are James Madison Highway, 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 52.6 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 $16.44 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.1 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 250 BUS / East Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (7th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 743 / Hydraulic Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

The route from Charlottesville, VA to Ashburn, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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