Drive Time
37m
Distance
27 mi
43 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Photo: Eric Joseph
The drive from Fairfax, VA to Leesburg, VA covers 27 miles and takes about 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Fairfax Boulevard, Route 50, VA 28 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
13.5 miles from Fairfax, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Expect a 37m drive with frequent turns across 27 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 50 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 28 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sully Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 267 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dulles Greenway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 15 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Leesburg Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, VA and Leesburg, VA.
Start on Main Street
Continue on Fairfax Boulevard
Continue on Route 50
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
Merge slight left onto Dulles Greenway
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Merge slight left onto Leesburg Bypass
Take the exit slight right toward US 15 Business: Leesburg
Turn right onto South King Street
Turn right onto East Market Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.5 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, VA
This is one driving day of about 27 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.5 mi from Fairfax, VA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 13.5 miles from Fairfax, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$4.21 one way
$8.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $4.71 | $9.42 |
| premium | $4.78 | $5.08 | $10.16 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $5.98 | $11.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.30 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.36 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Fairfax on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Leesburg on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
67°F
Rockville, MD
14 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Fairfax, VA or browse trips ending in Leesburg, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Fairfax, VA or Leesburg, VA on MapSof.net.
