Origin
Manassas, VA
Evening in Manassas on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manassas, VA to Colonial Heights, VA
Drive Time
6h 22m
Distance
345.2 mi
556 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 10m
★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manassas, VA
Francesco Ungaro
Colonial Heights, VA
Pavan Sai .D
Trip Overview
Spanning 345.2 miles, the journey from Manassas to Colonial Heights is a straightforward highway-focused trip that typically takes 6 hours and 22 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Virginia, you will remain in the Southeast throughout your travels. A single day is sufficient to complete the drive, though you should budget approximately $55 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates, it offers a consistent, predictable pace for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. While you could push through in one go, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help keep you refreshed for the final leg of the trip.
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
172.6 miles from Manassas, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 98% of this journey is conducted on major highways including VA 234, I-66, and I-81. The personality of the drive is defined by a significant, 291.1-mile stretch on I-81, which serves as the backbone of your travel. This makes for a very consistent, highway-focused feel rather than a winding backroad adventure. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining highway speeds, providing a reliable if somewhat monotonous driving environment. Because the road conditions stay fairly uniform across these major arteries, you can anticipate a steady flow of traffic for nearly the entire 345.2 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 291.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near VA 234.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 345.2 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 4.7 miles (VA 234): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
VA 234
Take the ramp onto VA 234 toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
8
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
6
160.9 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
279.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
|
I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
344.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
Take the exit toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 291.1 mi | 5h 17m |
| I 66 | 42.2 mi | 45m |
| VA 234 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Sudley Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Grant Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Old Airport Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lee Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 291.1 mi, about 5h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manassas, VA and Colonial Heights, VA.
1
Start on VA 234 BUS
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Avenue
Use the none lane.
2
Turn slight left onto VA 234 BUS
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Sudley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp onto VA 234
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
VA 234
Toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on I 66
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 66
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 81
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
11
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Old Airport Road
12
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft
·
12 sec
·
Lee Highway
13
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 22-minute drive, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier stretches of I-66. Since the longest uninterrupted segment is 291.1 miles on I-81, you should schedule your one recommended stop strategically toward the middle of that stretch to break up the monotony. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $55 estimate may fluctuate based on current gas prices and your vehicle's specific efficiency. Because this is a long, highway-heavy haul, staying hydrated and taking brief, frequent breaks can significantly reduce fatigue. Use the flexibility of your single-day timeline to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays on the interstate.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.6 miles from Manassas, VA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 291.1 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.6 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manassas, 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 Manassas, VA
This is one driving day of about 345.2 miles and 6h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Manassas, 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 81 for about 291.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.6 mi from Manassas, VA · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.6 miles from Manassas, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 291.1 miles.
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.25 one way
$110.49 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $60.19 | $120.39 |
| premium | $4.78 | $64.94 | $129.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.69 | $153.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.25 | $16.57 |
| Efficient EV | 86.3 | 0 | $30.21 | $13.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.1 | 1 | $48.33 | $22.09 |
Gas CO2
121 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.
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Evening in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
76°F
Oakland, MD
173 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
9 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
6h 22m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Manassas, VA to Colonial Heights, VA covers 345.2 miles and takes about 6h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 66, VA 234. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.6 miles from Manassas, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 9 significant decision points across 345.2 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 4.7 miles (VA 234): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Manassas, VA to Colonial Heights, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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