Origin
Fairfax, VA
Evening in Fairfax on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfax, VA to Leesburg, VA
Drive Time
43m
Distance
27.8 mi
45 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfax, VA
Eric Joseph
Leesburg, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
Spanning 27.8 miles, this connection between Fairfax and Leesburg is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. You will primarily utilize a combination of the Dulles Greenway, Route 50, and Sully Road to navigate through Northern Virginia. Given the short duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. With current fuel costs estimated at $4, it is an economical excursion for commuters or weekend travelers. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, the route offers a practical link between these two Southeast locations without the need for complex travel logistics.
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
13.9 miles from Fairfax, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 22% of the journey takes place on highways, the experience is defined by shifting between different road types rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on the Dulles Greenway, which covers 11.7 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the varied local roads and highway segments, the character of the drive changes frequently. It is not a high-speed sprint, but rather a dynamic route that keeps you engaged as you maneuver toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dulles Greenway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near VA 28 / Sully Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 27.8 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: at 8.3 miles (VA 28 / Sully Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
VA 28 / Sully Road
Merge onto VA 28 / Sully Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
12.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
9
25.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
7
26.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward US 15 Business: Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 15 Business: Leesburg
6
26.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 15 BUS / South King Street
Turn right onto US 15 BUS / South King Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dulles Greenway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Route 50 | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Sully Road | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South King Street | 1 mi | 3m |
| Fairfax Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Leesburg Bypass | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dulles Greenway
— 11.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, VA and Leesburg, VA.
1
Start on VA 236
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on US 50
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairfax Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 50
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Route 50
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
5
Merge onto VA 28
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Sully Road
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
Use the slight left lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
8
Merge onto VA 267
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Dulles Greenway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 15; VA 7
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Leesburg Bypass
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 15 Business: Leesburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 15 BUS
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South King Street
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
226 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Market Street
14
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
Because this is a quick 43-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to avoid peak congestion. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the distance is short enough to drive through in one go. Keep in mind that since the route relies on a mix of local roads and the Dulles Greenway, it is wise to monitor traffic patterns before you depart to ensure a smooth transit. Your fuel budget of $4 is minimal, so you can easily top off your tank in Fairfax before hitting the road. Focus on navigating the turns along the local stretches to keep your travel time consistent.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.9 miles from Fairfax, VA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 27.8 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.9 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 27.8 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairfax, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dulles Greenway for about 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.9 mi from Fairfax, VA · 24m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Fairfax, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Leesburg, VA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.45 one way
$8.90 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $4.85 | $9.69 |
| premium | $4.78 | $5.23 | $10.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.18 | $12.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.92
Dulles Greenway
(11.7 mi)
$2.92
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
$4
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.92 | $1.33 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.43 | $1.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Leesburg, VA
Evening in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
43m 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 Fairfax, VA to Leesburg, VA covers 27.8 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dulles Greenway, Route 50, Sully Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 miles from Fairfax, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.45 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 27.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (VA 28 / Sully Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fairfax, VA to Leesburg, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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