Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Lynchburg, VA

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

117.8 mi

190 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 22m ★

6 AM

2h 32m

8 AM

2h 52m

10 AM

2h 39m

12 PM

2h 37m

3 PM

2h 40m

5 PM

2h 51m

8 PM

2h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Colonial Heights, VA

Pavan Sai .D

Lynchburg, VA

LAVA

Trip Overview

Traveling from Colonial Heights to Lynchburg covers 117.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes. Since the entire journey stays within the Southeast region of Virginia, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly excursion. You will primarily navigate via US 460, New Cox Road, and Richmond Highway. This route is straightforward enough to serve as a quick getaway or a necessary transit, offering a balanced mix of road types that transition you from the outskirts of the Richmond area toward the heart of Lynchburg.

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

58.9 miles from Colonial Heights, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 117.8-mile drive offers a mixed-road profile, alternating between local thoroughfares and faster stretches of pavement. With a highway share of 34%, you won't be stuck on monotonous interstates for the entire duration, allowing for a more varied driving experience. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 460, where you will cover 29.4 miles of continuous driving. As you move away from your starting point, the road character shifts from regional highways to the local roads that define this corridor. Expect a drive that feels practical and functional rather than strictly high-speed, requiring you to stay attentive as the scenery and road conditions evolve.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 460 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Ellerslie Avenue.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 117.8 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: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Ellerslie Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 51 Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham

10.6 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

95.8 mi into trip | ~2h in | US 460 / Richmond Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 / Richmond Highway toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

117.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 460	29.4 mi	35m
New Cox Road	23 mi	26m
Richmond Highway	18.6 mi	22m
West Colonial Trail Highway	13.1 mi	16m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike	8 mi	10m
East Colonial Trail	7.5 mi	11m
East Colonial Trail Road	6.9 mi	7m
East Colonial Trail Highway	4.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: US 460 — 29.4 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Lynchburg, VA.

Start on this road

257 ft · 20 sec · this road

At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Ellerslie Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Conduit Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Conduit Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto West Roslyn Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Roslyn Road

Take the ramp

382 ft · 9 sec

Toward I 95 South

Merge onto I 95

1.3 mi · 1 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

6.6 mi · 8 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Exit 51 Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 460

Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg Use the slight right lane.

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 460

23 mi · 26 min · New Cox Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 460

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway

Continue on US 460

6.9 mi · 7 min · East Colonial Trail Road

Continue on US 460

7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 360; US 460

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

12 mi · 14 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460

29 mi · 34 min · US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

19 mi · 22 min · Richmond Highway

Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Concord Turnpike

2.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

Use the right lane.

Continue on Washington Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Washington Street

At end of road, turn right onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Main Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto 11th Street

324 ft · 12 sec · 11th Street

Turn right onto Church Street

365 ft · 14 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto 10th Street

98 ft · 4 sec · 10th Street

Arrive at destination

10th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your energy levels high throughout the 2-hour and 31-minute transit. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $19 estimated cost is a good baseline, but local fluctuations can change your actual expenses. Because the route relies on a mix of US 460 and smaller roads, stay alert for transitions between higher-speed highway segments and slower local intersections. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your journey remains efficient and stress-free.

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 58.9 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lynchburg, 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 117.8 miles and 2h 31m.

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 US 460 for about 29.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.9 mi from Colonial Heights, VA · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

59 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.9 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lynchburg, VA

The final approach into Lynchburg, 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 Lynchburg, 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

$18.85 one way

$37.71 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$20.54	$41.08
premium	$4.78	$22.16	$44.32
diesel	$5.64	$26.17	$52.34

Estimated Tolls: $0.75

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (6.6 mi) $0.46

Concord Turnpike (2.9 mi) $0.20

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (1.3 mi) $0.09

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

$19

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.3	$12.37	$5.65
Efficient EV	29.5	$10.31	$4.71
EV Truck/SUV	47.1	$16.49	$7.54

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Colonial Heights, VA

Evening in Colonial Heights on Sunday

Local time

7:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lynchburg, VA

Evening in Lynchburg on Sunday

Local time

7:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

59 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 31m 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 Lynchburg, VA covers 117.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 460, New Cox Road, Richmond Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 58.9 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 $18.85 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.

The route from Colonial Heights, VA to Lynchburg, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Lynchburg, VA to Colonial Heights, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

116.2 mi 2h 36m

Explore more options from Colonial Heights, VA or browse trips ending in Lynchburg, VA.

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Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Lynchburg, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lynchburg, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colonial Heights, VA

Lynchburg, VA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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