The drive from Danville, VA to Chantilly, VA covers 226.5 miles and takes about 4h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 29, Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.1 miles on US 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
113.2 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 226.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 57m highway drive covering 226.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 29 and Seminole Trail. The longest continuous stretch is about 116.1 miles on US 29.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 116.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and Seminole Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.3 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 226.5 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 61.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.1 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
67.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
8
200.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
7
221.8 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
8
225.9 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Danville, VA to Chantilly, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.
Charlottesville
67.9 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 29
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
116.1 mi
2h 24m
Seminole Trail
33.9 mi
48m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
Danville Expressway
12.4 mi
15m
US 15
11.7 mi
17m
I 66
9.1 mi
10m
James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Sully Road
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 116.1 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and Chantilly, VA.
1
Start on VA 293
415 ft·15 sec·South Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto VA 293
1.2 mi·2 min·Patton Street
3
Turn slight right onto VA 360
0.8 mi·1 min·Justin Lane
4
Turn straight onto VA 360
0.6 mi·59 sec·Richmond Boulevard
5
Continue on VA 360
0.5 mi·49 sec·Old Richmond Road
6
Turn left onto VA 41
349 ft·11 sec·Franklin Turnpike
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
8
Merge onto US 29
12 mi·15 min·Danville Expressway
9
Continue on US 29
11 mi·13 min·US 29
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
35 mi·43 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North
11
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 29
64 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
14
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
15
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
16
Continue on US 29
34 mi·48 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
18
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
19
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
12 mi·17 min·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 NorthUse the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 66
9.1 mi·10 min·I 66
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward VA 28 North: Dulles AirportUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles AirportUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto VA 28
2.9 mi·3 min·Sully Road
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 50: Fairfax, WinchesterUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto US 50
0.3 mi·50 sec·Route 50
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
US 50
Trip Plan
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 113.2 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.1 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.2 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chantilly, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Danville, 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 Danville, VA
This is one driving day of about 226.5 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Danville, 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 29 for about 116.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.2 mi from Danville, VA
· 2h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 113.2 miles from Danville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chantilly, VA
The final approach into Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, VA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 156.2
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 226.5
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 39.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.42 one way
$70.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$38.73
$77.46
premium
$4.70
$41.92
$83.84
diesel
$5.61
$50.01
$100.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.78
$10.87
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.82
$9.06
EV Truck/SUV
90.6
1
$31.71
$14.50
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Danville, VA
Morning
in Danville on Friday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chantilly, VA
Morning
in Chantilly on Friday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Danville, VA to Chantilly, VA covers 226.5 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, Seminole Trail, James Madison Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.2 miles from Danville, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.42 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 226.5 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 61.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.1 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Danville, VA to Chantilly, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.
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.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
