Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Evening in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Leesburg, VA
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
150.7 mi
243 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colonial Heights, VA
Pavan Sai .D
Leesburg, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
Traveling from Colonial Heights to Leesburg covers 150.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 9 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the journey. The route transitions through the Southeast region of Virginia, connecting the Richmond area to the northern part of the state. It is a practical trek that balances efficiency with the necessity of navigating major transit corridors. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, the trip is manageable and predictable for most drivers.
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
75.4 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, as 74% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, which account for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 73.1 miles. As you progress toward your destination, the route transitions onto Leesburg Pike, shifting from heavy interstate traffic to local highway corridors. The personality of this drive is functional and fast-paced rather than leisurely, emphasizing steady progress over scenic meandering. Be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic as you navigate these primary arterial roads throughout the Commonwealth.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 73.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.9 miles in near I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 150.7 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 114.9 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
114.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
7
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
8
127.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 45
Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulle...
9
129.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16
Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg...
9
129.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Towns Along This Route
Between Colonial Heights, VA and Leesburg, VA, road signs point toward Tysons Corner, Herndon and Dulles Airport.
Tysons Corner
114.9 mi in
|
~2h 16m
|
via I 395
Herndon
127.4 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Dulles Airport
127.4 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 73.1 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 95 | 36.6 mi | 43m |
| Leesburg Pike | 18.1 mi | 26m |
| Capital Beltway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| East Market Street | 3 mi | 6m |
| Route 1 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Dulles Toll Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Woods Edge Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Leesburg, 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 left at fork onto I 95
53 mi
·
58 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital Beltway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 45
Toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto VA 267
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Dulles Toll Road
Use the none lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
19
Merge onto VA 267
263 ft
·
4 sec
·
Dulles Toll Road
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 16
Toward VA 7: Tysons Corner, Leesburg, Leesburg Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward VA 7 West: Leesburg Pike, Leesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto VA 7
18 mi
·
26 min
·
Leesburg Pike
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on VA 7
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East Market Street
Use the none lane.
24
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 9-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid the peak congestion often found on the I-95 corridor. Since fuel costs are estimated at $24, filling your tank before you leave Colonial Heights can save you time and potential price fluctuations along the busy interstate segments. Keep a close eye on traffic reports for the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, as even minor delays there can impact your arrival time in Leesburg. Being flexible with your departure window will help you maintain a smoother, less stressful pace behind the wheel.
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 75.4 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.4 miles or 1h 30m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesburg, 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 150.7 miles and 3h 9m.
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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.4 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 1h 30m 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 75.4 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
Arriving in Leesburg, VA
The final approach into Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, 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
$24.12 one way
$48.24 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $26.28 | $52.56 |
| premium | $4.78 | $28.35 | $56.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.48 | $66.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.34
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(73.1 mi)
$5.11
Dulles Toll Road
(1.1 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
$24
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 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 | 45.2 | 0 | $15.82 | $7.23 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.19 | $6.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.10 | $9.64 |
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
Leesburg, VA
Evening in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
3 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
3h 9m 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 Leesburg, VA covers 150.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I 95, Leesburg Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.4 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 $24.12 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 150.7 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 114.9 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Colonial Heights, VA and Leesburg, VA, road signs point toward Tysons Corner, Herndon and Dulles Airport.
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