Origin
Petersburg, VA
Late night in Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
3:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
46.9 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Petersburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 46.9-mile drive from Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 66, James Monroe Highway, and James Madison Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience suitable for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, it's an economical option for a quick journey. The drive traverses within the Southeast region of the US, providing a consistent feel throughout. This is a convenient option if you're looking for a short, efficient trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 46.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The personality of this 46.9-mile drive is best described as a mixed bag, with 45% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 21 miles on I 66, offering a chance to pick up speed. Beyond the interstate, the route transitions to highways like James Monroe Highway and James Madison Highway, which may offer a different pace. Expect a varied driving experience that shifts between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you progress toward Leesburg.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 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 21 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles: 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.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward Washington
Navigation decision point
Toward Washington
5
24.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
8
24.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 North: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 15 North: Leesburg
5
24.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 15 / James Madison Highway
Merge onto US 15 / James Madison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
35.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
3.1 mi in
|
~5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 21 mi | 22m |
| James Monroe Highway | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| James Madison Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| John Marshall Highway | 3 mi | 5m |
| South King Street | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Leeds Manor Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 21 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, VA and Leesburg, VA.
1
Start on VA 55
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John Marshall Highway
2
Turn left onto SR 688
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leeds Manor Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Washington
4
Merge onto I 66
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 66
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
350 ft
·
10 sec
Toward US 15 North: Leesburg
Use the left / right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 15
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
James Madison Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
James Monroe Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft
·
1 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
10
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft
·
2 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
12
Continue on US 15
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
James Monroe Highway
13
Continue on US 15
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South King Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
226 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Market Street
15
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.4 mi from Petersburg, VA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Petersburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Leesburg, VA
The final approach into Leesburg, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.33 one way
$14.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.68 | $17.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Leesburg, VA
Late night in Leesburg on Saturday
Local time
3:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Gainesville, VA
23 mi in
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
1 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
1h 4m 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 Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA covers 46.9 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 66, James Monroe Highway, James Madison Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.4 miles from Petersburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.33 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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