Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Evening in Harrisonburg on Friday
Local time
6:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrisonburg, VA to Fairfax Station, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
116.5 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrisonburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Fairfax Station, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Harrisonburg, VA to Fairfax Station, VA is 116.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick transit. You'll find it's a manageable journey that doesn't require extensive planning or overnight stays, ideal for a same-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 116.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major interstates like I 81 and I 66. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 54 miles on I 66. This profile means you'll experience consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for the majority of the trip. While it's primarily interstate travel, the inclusion of Fairfax County Parkway at the end offers a slight shift in the road's character as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 66 is the longest continuous segment at about 54 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 66 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Elizabeth Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 116.5 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: at 0.1 miles (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Elizabeth Street
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
Navigation decision point
5
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
6
97.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
109.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfield Herndon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55B-A
Toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfi...
8
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 286 South: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward VA 286 South: Springfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harrisonburg, VA and Fairfax Station, VA, road signs point toward Washington and Springfield Herndon.
Washington
54.8 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Springfield Herndon
109.1 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 54 mi | 59m |
| I 81 | 52.8 mi | 56m |
| Fairfax County Parkway | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| East Market Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Burke Centre Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ox Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Elizabeth Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Mason Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 54 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Fairfax Station, VA.
1
Start on US 11; US 33
335 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Elizabeth Street
3
Turn right onto North Mason Street
382 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Mason Street
4
Turn left onto US 33
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Market Street
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 81 North: Elkton
6
Merge onto I 81
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 81
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
8
Continue on I 66
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 66
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 55B-A
Toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfield Herndon
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 55A
Toward VA 286 South: Springfield
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto VA 286
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 643
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burke Centre Parkway
14
Turn left onto VA 123
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Ox Road
15
Continue on VA 123
287 ft
·
15 sec
·
Ox Road
16
Arrive at destination
VA 123
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 14m duration, this route is easily completed in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak commuter traffic. With a short drive and minimal stops recommended, you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is about 54 miles on I 66; it's wise to top off before entering that section.
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 58.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfax Station, 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 116.5 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Harrisonburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 66 for about 54 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.2 mi from Harrisonburg, VA · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairfax Station, VA
The final approach into Fairfax Station, 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 Fairfax Station, 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
$18.22 one way
$36.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.92 | $39.84 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.56 | $43.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.23 | $5.59 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Fairfax Station, VA
Evening in Fairfax Station on Friday
Local time
6:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
58 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 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
2h 14m 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 Fairfax Station, VA covers 116.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 66, I 81, Fairfax County Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.2 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 $18.22 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 11 significant decision points across 116.5 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: at 0.1 miles (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Harrisonburg, VA and Fairfax Station, VA, road signs point toward Washington and Springfield Herndon.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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