The drive from Herndon, VA to Danville, VA covers 233.2 miles and takes about 5h 7m 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 drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.9 miles on US 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.47 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
116.6 miles from Herndon, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 233.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Herndon, VA to Danville, VA covers 233.2 miles and takes about 5h 7m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 2.4 miles in near SR 8161 / River Birch Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 233.2 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 2.4 miles (SR 8161 / River Birch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in|SR 8161 / River Birch Road
Turn left onto SR 8161 / River Birch Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
8
20.7 mi into trip|~30m 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
21.4 mi into trip|~31m 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
7
202 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
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 Herndon, VA to Danville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.
Warrenton
20.7 mi in|~30m
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
Lee Highway
10.6 mi
15m
I 66
9.6 mi
10m
James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Sully Road
7.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Herndon, VA and Danville, VA.
1
Start on Spring Street
260 ft·10 sec·Spring Street
2
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Locust Street
3
Turn left onto Elden Street
0.7 mi·2 min·Elden Street
4
Continue on SR 657
1.0 mi·2 min·Centreville Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 665
0.2 mi·32 sec·Coppermine Road
6
Turn left onto SR 8161
0.6 mi·1 min·River Birch Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn straight onto SR 608
455 ft·8 sec·Frying Pan Road
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward VA 28 South: Centreville
9
Merge onto VA 28
7.1 mi·9 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front RoyalUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
12
Merge onto I 66
9.6 mi·10 min·I 66
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 43AToward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 29
11 mi·15 min·Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
16
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
17
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi·23 min·James Madison Highway
20
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 29
34 mi·47 min·North Seminole Trail
22
Continue on US 29
0.3 mi·41 sec·Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto US 29
63 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
25
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi·8 min·Richmond Highway
26
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 29
Toward US 29 South
27
Merge onto US 29
31 mi·38 min·Wards Road
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
15 mi·18 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the left lane.
29
Continue on US 29
13 mi·15 min·US 29
Use the left lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 41: Halifax
31
Turn straight onto VA 41
0.2 mi·25 sec·Franklin Turnpike
32
At end of road, turn right onto VA 360
0.5 mi·49 sec·Old Richmond Road
33
Continue on VA 360
0.6 mi·59 sec·Richmond Boulevard
34
Continue on VA 360
0.8 mi·1 min·Justin Lane
35
Turn straight onto VA 293; VA 360
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
36
Continue on VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Turn left onto VA 293
105 ft·2 sec·South Ridge Street
38
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 116.6 miles from Herndon, VA, or about 2h 40m 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 51 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.6 miles or 2h 40m 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 13m
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 Herndon, 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 Herndon, VA
This is one driving day of about 233.2 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Herndon, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.6 mi from Herndon, VA
· 2h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 116.6 miles from Herndon, 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.
Arriving in Danville, VA
The final approach into Danville, 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 Danville, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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!
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$30
near mile 73.2
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 162.7
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 195.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.47 one way
$72.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.87
$79.75
premium
$4.70
$43.16
$86.32
diesel
$5.61
$51.49
$102.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.49
$11.19
Efficient EV
58.3
0
$20.40
$9.33
EV Truck/SUV
93.3
1
$32.65
$14.92
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Herndon, VA
Morning
in Herndon on Friday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Danville, VA
Morning
in Danville on Friday
Local time
7:58 AM
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
5 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
5h 7m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Herndon, VA to Danville, VA covers 233.2 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, North Seminole Trail, Wards Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.6 miles from Herndon, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 233.2 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 2.4 miles (SR 8161 / River Birch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Herndon, VA to Danville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Shenandoah National Park and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
