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Trip from Falls Church, VA to Danville, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 11m

Distance

237.8 mi

383 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 58m ★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m

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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Downtown Falls Church, VA, VA

Falls Church, VA

Pavan Sai .D

independent city in Virginia, United States

Danville, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Falls Church, VA to Danville, VA covers 237.8 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 29, North Seminole Trail, Wards Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.9 miles on US 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.19 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

118.9 miles from Falls Church, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 29 91.9 mi 1h 53m
North Seminole Trail 33.8 mi 47m
Wards Road 30.7 mi 38m
James Madison Highway 23.3 mi 30m
Custis Memorial Parkway 23.2 mi 28m
Lee Highway 10.6 mi 15m
James Monroe Highway 7.8 mi 9m
Richmond Highway 6.4 mi 8m
Longest stretch: US 29 — 91.9 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Falls Church, VA and Danville, VA.

1

Start on US 29; VA 237

29 ft · 4 sec · North Washington Street
2

Turn right onto VA 7

1.3 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3

Continue on VA 7

0.5 mi · 1 min · Leesburg Pike
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 66 Toll West: Front Royal
5

Merge onto I 66

23 mi · 28 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 43A Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto US 29

11 mi · 15 min · Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

0.5 mi · 44 sec · US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
10

Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29

2.6 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

18 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway
13

Continue on US 29

7.8 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on US 29

34 mi · 47 min · North Seminole Trail
15

Continue on US 29

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit onto US 29

63 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
18

Merge onto US 29; US 460

6.4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Highway
19

Take the exit onto US 29

0.4 mi · 46 sec · US 29
Toward US 29 South
20

Merge onto US 29

31 mi · 38 min · Wards Road
21

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

15 mi · 18 min · US 29
Toward US 29 South Use the left lane.
22

Continue on US 29

13 mi · 15 min · US 29
Use the left lane.
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward VA 41: Halifax
24

Turn straight onto VA 41

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Franklin Turnpike
25

At end of road, turn right onto VA 360

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Old Richmond Road
26

Continue on VA 360

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Richmond Boulevard
27

Continue on VA 360

0.8 mi · 1 min · Justin Lane
28

Turn straight onto VA 293; VA 360

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
29

Continue on VA 293

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
30

Turn left onto VA 293

105 ft · 2 sec · South Ridge Street
31

Arrive at destination

VA 293

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 118.9 miles from Falls Church, VA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 52 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.9 miles or 2h 41m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Falls Church, 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 Falls Church, VA

This is one driving day of about 237.8 miles and 5h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Falls Church, 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 91.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Waynesboro, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesboro, VA

119 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

Manassas, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlottesville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.9 miles from Falls Church, 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 91.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cafe Kindred

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Falls Church, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15713272215

Visit website

Italian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Falls Church, Virginia

0.5 mi

Kyoto Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charlottesville, Virginia

0.9 mi

Cafe Kindred

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15713272215

Visit website

Italian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+17032411829

Visit website

Kyoto Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14349238889

Banh Cuon Saigon

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+17035344482

Visit website

Cowboy Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17032438010

Visit website

Pastry Xpo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Falls Church, Virginia

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+15712824970

Visit website

Gallery Cafe at Ballston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17035272080

Visit website

Le Pain Quotidien

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Fairfax, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17034629350

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 186.8

Rustburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349848000

Visit website

The Jeff Hotel

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349797264

Visit website

Little Mod Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344433207

Visit website

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 101.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344002100

Visit website

Mountain Run Winery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 67.9

Culpeper, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+17036385559

Visit website

Long Branch Nature Center & Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Arlington, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+17032286535

Visit website

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Annandale, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17039411065

Visit website

O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 34

Warrenton, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15403596937

Visit website

Green Spring Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+17036425173

Visit website

Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17037465559

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 25.2 and 206.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
25.2 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 43A Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
8
26 mi into trip | ~35m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
6
36.7 mi into trip | ~51m in | US 15; US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
6
168.4 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Dan...
7
206.5 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 29 South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.19 one way

$74.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $40.66 $81.32
premium $4.70 $44.01 $88.02
diesel $5.61 $52.50 $105.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.3 0 $24.97 $11.41
Efficient EV 59.5 0 $20.81 $9.51
EV Truck/SUV 95.1 1 $33.29 $15.22

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 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 18, 2026

Origin

Falls Church, VA

Afternoon in Falls Church on Saturday

Local time

2:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Danville, VA

Afternoon in Danville on Saturday

Local time

2:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

9 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

5h 11m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Shenandoah National Park

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 82
Caution: 4/13/26 Fire ban in effect
Caution: Parking at Boundary Access Areas
View on nps.gov
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~40 min detour Free near mile 164
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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 205
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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!

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 16.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

237.8 mi in 5h 11m — 49% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: US 29.

49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.9 mi on US 29.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 237.8 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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Falls Church, VA to Danville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.

Warrenton

25.2 mi in | ~34m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 237.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91.9 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Danville, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Shenandoah National Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Danville, VA before the return drive.

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.

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Return Trip

Danville, VA to Falls Church, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

245.4 mi 5h 11m

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