The drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Bon Air, VA covers 128.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, I 81, North Parham Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.5 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.09 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 128.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 128.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.5 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 33 / Court Square.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 128.5 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: near the start (US 33 / Court Square): Navigation decision point; at 120.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 33 / Court Square
Turn left onto US 33 / Court Square
Navigation decision point
7
120.1 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward Parham Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 181
Toward Parham Road
8
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Parham Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Parham Road South
6
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward VA 147: Huguenot Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 147: Huguenot Road
6
127 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|VA 147 / West Huguenot Road
Turn right onto VA 147 / West Huguenot Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Harrisonburg, VA to Bon Air, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Parham Road South along the way.
Parham Road South
120.4 mi in|~2h 15m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
93.5 mi
1h 42m
I 81
23.8 mi
26m
North Parham Road
3.9 mi
6m
Chippenham Parkway
2.5 mi
4m
Buford Road
0.9 mi
1m
South High Street
0.9 mi
2m
West Huguenot Road
0.6 mi
1m
Port Republic Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 93.5 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Bon Air, VA.
1
Start on US 11; US 33
114 ft·9 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 33
260 ft·7 sec·Court Square
3
Continue on US 33
169 ft·5 sec·Court Square
4
Turn right onto US 33
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Market Street
5
Turn left onto VA 42
0.9 mi·2 min·South High Street
6
Turn left onto Maryland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Maryland Avenue
7
Continue on VA 253
0.5 mi·1 min·Port Republic Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
9
Merge onto I 81
24 mi·26 min·I 81
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
11
Merge onto I 64
93 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 181Toward Parham RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·4 sec
Toward Parham Road SouthUse the left / right lanes.
14
Merge onto SR 7518
3.9 mi·6 min·North Parham Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on VA 150
2.5 mi·4 min·Chippenham Parkway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 147: Huguenot RoadUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto VA 147
0.6 mi·1 min·West Huguenot Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 678
0.9 mi·1 min·Buford Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 718
14 ft·0 sec·Rockaway Road
20
Arrive at destination
SR 718
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.5 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bon Air, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 128.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Harrisonburg, 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 I 64 for about 93.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.2 mi from Harrisonburg, VA
· 1h 13m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 128.5
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.49
$6.17
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
EV Truck/SUV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Afternoon
in Harrisonburg on Friday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bon Air, VA
Afternoon
in Bon Air on Friday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
10 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
2h 30m 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 Harrisonburg, VA to Bon Air, VA covers 128.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, North Parham Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.09 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 128.5 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: near the start (US 33 / Court Square): Navigation decision point; at 120.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Bon Air, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Parham Road South along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Shenandoah National Park and Petersburg National Battlefield.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
