Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Afternoon in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Harrisonburg, VA
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
150.3 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Photo: Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Colonial Heights to Harrisonburg covers approximately 150.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. This straightforward journey transitions you from the Southeast region of Virginia toward the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Given the manageable timeframe, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $24 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Because the drive is primarily interstate-focused, it provides a reliable and consistent experience for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. It serves as a practical connection between these two Virginia hubs.
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
75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as this route is 97% highway-based. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via I-64, I-81, and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-64, where you will spend 99.6 miles maintaining a steady pace. Because the profile is heavily highway-focused, the drive prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, winding roads found in the countryside. Behind the wheel, you will notice the transition from the flatter landscapes of the Southeast region toward the more mountainous terrain characteristic of the Harrisonburg area as you merge onto 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 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Ellerslie Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 150.3 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: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): 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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Ellerslie Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
24.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to Harrisonburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Winchester along the way.
Winchester
124.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 99.6 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 81 | 23.7 mi | 26m |
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 20.3 mi | 25m |
| Route 1 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Woods Edge Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Port Republic Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Harrisonburg, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
100 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 64
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
10
Merge onto I 81
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 81
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
12
Turn left onto VA 253
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Port Republic Road
13
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies so heavily on major interstates, keep a close eye on traffic reports for I-64 and I-81, as congestion can fluctuate during peak commuting hours. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid heavy traffic and ensure you arrive in Harrisonburg with plenty of daylight left. With a total estimated fuel cost of $24, it is wise to fuel up before leaving Colonial Heights to avoid paying higher prices near the major highway interchanges. Remember that because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal needs.
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 75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 75.1 miles or 1h 29m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisonburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 150.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colonial Heights, 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 64 for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.1 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, 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 99.6 miles.
Arriving in Harrisonburg, VA
The final approach into Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg, 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
$24.05 one way
$48.11 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $26.21 | $52.42 |
| premium | $4.78 | $28.27 | $56.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.39 | $66.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.42
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(20.3 mi)
$1.42
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.78 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Harrisonburg, VA
Afternoon in Harrisonburg on Sunday
Local time
2:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
62°F
La Plata, MD
75 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
7 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 56m 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 Colonial Heights, VA to Harrisonburg, VA covers 150.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.05 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 150.3 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: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to Harrisonburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Winchester along the way.
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Return Trip
Harrisonburg, VA to Colonial Heights, VAPlan the drive back the other way.
150.4 mi
2h 56m
Continue From Harrisonburg, VA
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