Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
147 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: Pavan Sai .D
The drive from Leesburg, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 147 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South King Street, US 15 North, Leesburg Bypass for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.92 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
73.5 miles from Leesburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 9m drive with frequent turns across 147 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South King Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 15 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Leesburg Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 267 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dulles Greenway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| VA 28 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sully Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 50 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
Start on East Market Street
Turn left onto South King Street
Take the exit left toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg Bypass
Merge slight left onto Leesburg Bypass
Take the exit slight right toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington
Continue on Dulles Greenway
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
Keep slight right to continue on VA 28 South: Centreville
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax
Merge slight left onto Route 50
Take the exit slight right toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
Turn right onto Fairfax County Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 South: Ox Road
Turn left onto Ox Road
Continue on Gordon Boulevard
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road
Turn straight onto Woods Edge Road
Turn left onto Route 1
Continue on Boulevard
Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 147 miles and 3h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.5 mi from Leesburg, VA · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from Leesburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.92 one way
$45.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $25.63 | $51.26 |
| premium | $4.78 | $27.65 | $55.30 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $32.55 | $65.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.43 | $7.06 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.86 | $5.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Leesburg on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
68°F
Washington, DC
74 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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