Drive Time
6h 27m
Distance
342.6 mi
551 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
The drive from Leesburg, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 342.6 miles and takes about 6h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on VA 7 West, Leesburg Pike, Harry Byrd Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.43 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
171.3 miles from Leesburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 27m drive with frequent turns across 342.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| VA 7 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Leesburg Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harry Byrd Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Berryville Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 81 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Airport Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lee Highway | 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
Take the ramp straight toward VA 7 West: Winchester
Merge slight left onto Leesburg Pike
Continue on Harry Byrd Highway
Continue on Berryville Pike
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Continue straight
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
Turn right onto Lee Highway
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 19m
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 342.6 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.3 mi from Leesburg, VA · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 171.3 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
$53.43 one way
$106.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $59.74 | $119.48 |
| premium | $4.78 | $64.45 | $128.89 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $75.86 | $151.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.97 | $16.44 |
| Efficient EV | 85.7 | 0 | $29.98 | $13.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137 | 1 | $47.96 | $21.93 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Colonial Heights on Saturday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
76°F
Oakland, MD
171 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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