Origin
Charlottesville, VA
Late night in Charlottesville on Friday
Local time
4:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlottesville, VA to Radford, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
156.2 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlottesville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Radford, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Charlottesville, VA to Radford, VA covers 156.2 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.1 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.43 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
78.1 miles from Charlottesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 156.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 59m highway drive covering 156.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.1 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 14 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 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 250 BUS / East Market Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 (VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (VA 20 / Monticello Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 250 BUS / East Market Street
Turn right onto US 250 BUS / East Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Turn right onto VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
VA 20 / Monticello Avenue
Turn left onto VA 20 / Monticello Avenue
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.
5
152.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward VA 232, SR 605: Radford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 232, SR 605: Radford
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 86.1 mi | 1h 36m |
| I 64 | 64.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| West Main Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Avon Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street Southeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Berkley Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Radford, 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
86 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward VA 232, SR 605: Radford
11
Turn right onto VA 232
283 ft
·
4 sec
·
1st Street
12
Continue on VA 232
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
West Main Street
13
Turn right onto Berkley Street
444 ft
·
19 sec
·
Berkley Street
14
Arrive at destination
Berkley Street
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 78.1 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 28m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Radford, 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 156.2 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.1 mi from Charlottesville, VA · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.1 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.
Arriving in Radford, VA
The final approach into Radford, 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 Radford, 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
$24.43 one way
$48.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.91 | $57.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.49 | $68.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.40 | $7.50 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.67 | $6.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.87 | $10.00 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Radford, VA
Late night in Radford on Friday
Local time
4:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Buena Vista, VA
78 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
4 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 59m 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 Radford, VA covers 156.2 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, West Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.1 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 $24.43 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 straightforward 2h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 250 BUS / East Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (VA 20 / 9th Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (VA 20 / Monticello Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Charlottesville, VA to Radford, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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