Origin
Charlottesville, VA
Evening in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlottesville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
90.1 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlottesville, VA
Eric Joseph
Colonial Heights, VA
Pavan Sai .D
Trip Overview
Connecting Charlottesville to Colonial Heights is a straightforward 90.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Because this drive is designed as a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-64 and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike to navigate between these two Southeast Virginia locations. Budgeting around $14 for fuel will cover the trip, making this an economical option for your travel plans. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of the route allows for a stress-free experience. Since the drive is short, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
45 miles from Charlottesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 94% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, including a significant 65.5-mile stretch on I-64 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The transition onto the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike keeps the pace steady as you move toward your destination. While the road lacks the technical turns of mountain passes or rural backroads, the consistency of the highway makes for predictable travel. You will find that the road surface remains largely consistent, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
503 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
314 ft
Total Descent
717 ft
Highest Point
503 ft
~15 mi in
Elevation Range
474 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Turn left onto US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 58B
Toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road
5
89.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 65.5 mi | 1h 13m |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 17.3 mi | 21m |
| Richmond Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Route 1 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East High Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Woods Edge Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Ellerslie Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 65.5 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
1
Start on this road
233 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 250 BUS
246 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Market Street
3
Turn left onto US 250 BUS; VA 20
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
9th Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 250 BUS; VA 20
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East High Street
5
Turn right onto US 250; VA 20
315 ft
·
7 sec
·
Long Street
6
Continue on US 250; VA 20
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 64 East
8
Merge onto I 64
65 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 64
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 58B
Toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto SR 620
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Woods Edge Road
12
Turn left onto US 1; US 301
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
Use the left / none lanes.
13
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Boulevard
Use the none / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Ellerslie Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right
257 ft
·
18 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 50 minute duration, you can comfortably depart at almost any time of day without worrying about long-haul fatigue. Since there are no mandatory stops programmed into this 90.1-mile route, feel free to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level. Be mindful that the majority of your time is spent on high-traffic corridors like I-64, so checking local traffic reports before you pull out of your driveway is a smart move. Because the entire trip requires only about $14 in fuel, you might consider topping off your tank in Charlottesville to avoid any mid-trip fuel stops. This short distance provides the perfect opportunity to reach your destination quickly while maintaining complete control over your itinerary.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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 90.1 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlottesville, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 65.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45 mi from Charlottesville, VA · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45 miles from Charlottesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.5 miles.
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, 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
$14.42 one way
$28.84 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.71 | $31.42 |
| premium | $4.78 | $16.95 | $33.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.02 | $40.03 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.21
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(17.3 mi)
$1.21
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27 | 0 | $9.46 | $4.32 |
| Efficient EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.88 | $3.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.77 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Evening in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
45 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
1 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
1h 50m 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 Colonial Heights, VA covers 90.1 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Richmond Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45 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 $14.42 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 90.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (US 250 BUS; VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Charlottesville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 29 ft to 503 ft elevation with about 314 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
Colonial Heights, VA to Charlottesville, VAPlan the drive back the other way.
91.5 mi
1h 50m
Continue From Colonial Heights, VA
More trips to Colonial Heights, VA
Explore more options from Charlottesville, VA or browse trips ending in Colonial Heights, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Charlottesville, VA or Colonial Heights, VA on MapSof.net.