The drive from Danville, VA to Petersburg, VA covers 230.4 miles and takes about 4h 37m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 29, I 81, I 66 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.3 miles on US 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.03 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
115.2 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 230.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 37m highway drive covering 230.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 29 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 90.3 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 90.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.7 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 230.4 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 26.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
26.7 mi into trip|~34m in|US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 29 North
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
6
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Turn left toward I-64
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-64
6
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-64 West: Staunton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-64 West: Staunton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Danville, VA and Petersburg, VA, road signs point toward Charlottesville, Winchester and Washington.
Charlottesville
67.9 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 29
Winchester
135.7 mi in|~2h 51m
Washington
214.4 mi in|~4h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
90.3 mi
1h 51m
I 81
78.2 mi
1h 25m
I 66
12.7 mi
13m
Danville Expressway
12.4 mi
15m
I 64
11.9 mi
12m
Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi
9m
River Road
5.8 mi
7m
Afton Mountain Road
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 90.3 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and Petersburg, 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
38 mi·46 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto VA 6
5.8 mi·7 min·River Road
14
Turn right onto VA 6; VA 151
6.2 mi·9 min·Rockfish Valley Highway
15
Turn left onto VA 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Afton Mountain Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto VA 6
0.4 mi·37 sec·Afton Mountain Road
17
Turn left onto US 250
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockfish Gap Turnpike
18
Continue on US 250
0.3 mi·46 sec·Three Notched Mountain Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I-64Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I-64 West: Staunton
21
Merge onto I 64
12 mi·12 min·I 64
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
23
Merge onto I 81
78 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
25
Continue on I 66
13 mi·13 min·I 66
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 79: Linden
27
Turn right onto VA 79
0.1 mi·17 sec·Apple Mountain Road
28
Turn left onto VA 55
2.6 mi·4 min·John Marshall Highway
29
Arrive at destination
VA 55
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 115.2 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 25m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Petersburg, 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 230.4 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 90.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.2 mi from Danville, VA
· 2h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 115.2 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 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.3 miles.
Arriving in Petersburg, VA
The final approach into Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, VA.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 214.5
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 174.8
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 71.5
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 39.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.03 one way
$72.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.39
$78.79
premium
$4.70
$42.64
$85.28
diesel
$5.61
$50.87
$101.74
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Rockfish Gap Turnpike
(1.2 mi)$0.08
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
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Late night
in Danville on Saturday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Petersburg, VA
Late night
in Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
26 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 37m 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 Petersburg, VA covers 230.4 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, I 81, I 66. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.2 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 $36.03 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 19 significant decision points across 230.4 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 26.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; 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.
Between Danville, VA and Petersburg, VA, road signs point toward Charlottesville, Winchester and Washington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
