Trip from Danville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA

Drive Time

3h 47m

Distance

186.6 mi

300 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 35m ★

6 AM

3h 48m

8 AM

4h 13m

10 AM

3h 56m

12 PM

3h 54m

3 PM

3h 58m

5 PM

4h 12m

8 PM

3h 40m

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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Danville, VA

Eric Joseph

Colonial Heights, VA

Pavan Sai .D

Trip Overview

Traveling from Danville to Colonial Heights covers 186.6 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes to complete. Because this journey is well within the range of a comfortable single-day trip, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $30 on fuel, making this an economical choice for your travel budget. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Virginia, the drive maintains a consistent geographical feel throughout. This highway-focused route is straightforward, allowing you to move efficiently between these two Virginia locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable pace that keeps your travel plans simple.

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

93.3 miles from Danville, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily reliant on major infrastructure, with 84% of the journey taking place on highways. You will navigate a combination of US 58, I-81, and I-77 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 65.4 miles while traveling along US 58, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you transition between these primary roads, the experience shifts from the feel of a standard highway drive to the controlled speed of the interstate system. Expect a functional, high-speed travel experience that prioritizes efficiency over local backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 58 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 58 and I 81. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near Piedmont Drive.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.6 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: at 2.6 miles (Piedmont Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.9 miles (US 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.9 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

2.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | Piedmont Drive

Turn sharp right onto Piedmont Drive

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

23.9 mi into trip | ~34m in | US 58

Take the exit onto US 58 toward US 58 West: Stuart, Roanoke

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

Toward US 58 West: Stuart, Roanoke

94.9 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | I 81; US 52

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

186 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in

Take the exit toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road

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

Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Danville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Roanoke along the way.

Roanoke

23.9 mi in | ~34m | via US 58

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 58	65.4 mi	1h 25m
I 81	65.3 mi	1h 9m
I 77	25.8 mi	29m
Martinsville Highway	10.3 mi	13m
Riverside Drive	5.3 mi	7m
A L Philpott Highway	5.3 mi	6m
Hillsville Bypass	5.3 mi	6m
Memorial Drive	2.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 58 — 65.4 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on VA 293

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Ridge Street

At end of road, turn left onto VA 413

2.1 mi · 3 min · Memorial Drive

Turn sharp right onto Piedmont Drive

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Piedmont Drive

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 20 sec

Toward US 58 Business West

Turn straight onto US 58 BUS

5.3 mi · 7 min · Riverside Drive

Continue on US 58 BUS

10 mi · 13 min · Martinsville Highway

Continue on US 58

5.3 mi · 6 min · A L Philpott Highway

Take the exit onto US 58

10 mi · 12 min · US 58

Toward US 58 West: Stuart, Roanoke

Take the exit onto US 58

55 mi · 1 hr 13 min · US 58

Toward US 58 West: Stuart

Continue on US 58

5.3 mi · 6 min · Hillsville Bypass

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 77 North: Wytheville

Merge onto I 77

24 mi · 27 min · I 77

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road

Turn right onto Old Airport Road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Old Airport Road

Turn right onto US 11; US 19

506 ft · 12 sec · Lee Highway

Arrive at destination

US 11; US 19

Trip Plan

For a smooth trip, plan to depart early to manage the 3 hour and 47 minute duration effectively. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh before completing the remainder of the 186.6-mile trek. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling schedule to ensure you don't run low during the longer stretches of the drive. Because this is a highway-heavy route, stay alert for changing traffic patterns when merging between US 58 and the interstate system. Having this flexibility allows you to easily adjust your schedule based on traffic conditions along the main roads.

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 93.3 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.4 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 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.3 miles or 2h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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 186.6 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 58 for about 65.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.3 mi from Danville, VA · 2h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winston-Salem, NC

93 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

Winston-Salem, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Winston-Salem, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.3 miles from Danville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 58 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.4 miles.

Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA

The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, 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

$29.86 one way

$59.73 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$32.54	$65.07
premium	$4.78	$35.10	$70.20
diesel	$5.64	$41.46	$82.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56	$19.59	$8.96
Efficient EV	46.7	$16.33	$7.46
EV Truck/SUV	74.6	$26.12	$11.94

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Danville, VA

Afternoon in Danville on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colonial Heights, VA

Afternoon in Colonial Heights on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

6 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 47m 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 Danville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 186.6 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 58, I 81, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.3 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 $29.86 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.

On the drive from Danville, VA to Colonial Heights, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Roanoke along the way.

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