The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Big Stone Gap, VA covers 299.9 miles and takes about 5h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 64, US Highway 58 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 172.9 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
149.9 miles from Charlottesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 299.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 52m highway drive covering 299.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 172.9 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 172.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast.
Driving Effort8/10
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 299.9 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 0.1 miles (VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 66.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (I 81; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Turn right onto VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
6
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
184.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|US 58 ALT / Russell Road Northwest
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT / Russell Road Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Charlottesville, VA to Big Stone Gap, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
Holston Dam
240.5 mi in|~4h 26m|via US 58 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
172.9 mi
3h 9m
I 64
64.4 mi
1h 10m
US Highway 58
14.7 mi
20m
Castlewood Drive
12.5 mi
17m
Porterfield Highway
10.3 mi
14m
Orby Cantrell Highway
8.5 mi
10m
Norton Coeburn Road
8 mi
11m
US 19
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 172.9 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Big Stone Gap, VA.
1
Start on this road
233 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 250 BUS
246 ft·14 sec·East Market Street
3
Turn right onto VA 20
180 ft·6 sec·9th Street Northeast
4
Continue on VA 20
0.1 mi·11 sec·9th Street Southeast
5
Continue on VA 20
0.3 mi·54 sec·Avon Street
6
Turn left onto VA 20
1.0 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
8
Merge onto I 64
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 64
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi·59 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
13
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi·2 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi·2 min·Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi·14 min·Porterfield Highway
17
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi·2 min·US 19; US 58 ALT
18
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
20
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi·17 min·Castlewood Drive
21
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.0 mi·11 min·Norton Coeburn Road
22
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 58 ALT
Toward VA 23 South, VA 58 West Alternate
23
Merge onto US 23; US 58 ALT
8.5 mi·10 min·Orby Cantrell Highway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 610: Big Stone Gap
25
Turn right onto SR 610
0.2 mi·35 sec·Powell Valley Road
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 610
67 ft·1 sec·Powell Valley Road
27
Continue on SR 610
0.3 mi·32 sec·Powell Valley Road
28
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Avenue East
29
Arrive at destination
SR 610
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 149.9 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.9 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 66 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.9 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Stone Gap, 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 299.9 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 I 81 for about 172.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.9 mi from Charlottesville, VA
· 2h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 149.9 miles from Charlottesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.9 miles.
Arriving in Big Stone Gap, VA
The final approach into Big Stone Gap, 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 Big Stone Gap, VA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 113.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.90 one way
$93.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$51.28
$102.56
premium
$4.70
$55.51
$111.01
diesel
$5.61
$66.21
$132.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90
1
$31.49
$14.40
Efficient EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
EV Truck/SUV
120
1
$41.99
$19.19
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
12:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Big Stone Gap, VA
Afternoon
in Big Stone Gap on Friday
Local time
12:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Marion, VA
150 mi in
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
9 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
5h 52m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Big Stone Gap, VA covers 299.9 miles and takes about 5h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, US Highway 58. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.9 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 $46.90 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 299.9 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 0.1 miles (VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 66.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (I 81; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charlottesville, VA to Big Stone Gap, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Booker T Washington National Monument.
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.
