Trip from Pulaski, VA to Charlottesville, VA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 11m

Distance

164.1 mi

264 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 0m ★

6 AM

3h 12m

8 AM

3h 35m

10 AM

3h 20m

12 PM

3h 17m

3 PM

3h 21m

5 PM

3h 34m

8 PM

3h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Pulaski, VA to Charlottesville, VA covers 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, I 64, Bob White Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.5 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.66 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

82.1 miles from Pulaski, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 164.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 11m highway drive covering 164.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 122.5 miles on I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 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 122.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 99 / East Main Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 99 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (SR 611 / Bob White Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | VA 99 / East Main Street

Turn left onto VA 99 / East Main Street

Navigation decision point

5

1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | SR 611 / Bob White Boulevard

Turn left onto SR 611 / Bob White Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

5

6 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 81

Merge onto I 81

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

5

128.6 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 64 East: Richmond

5

163.7 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in | 2nd Street Southwest

Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	122.5 mi	2h 15m
I 64	32.6 mi	35m
Bob White Boulevard	2 mi	4m
5th Street	1.7 mi	3m
Newbern Road	1.5 mi	2m
East Main Street	1.4 mi	3m
Cleburne Boulevard	0.7 mi	1m
Ridge Street	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 122.5 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pulaski, VA and Charlottesville, VA.

1

Start on US 11

48 ft · 8 sec · North Washington Avenue

2

Turn left onto VA 99

1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

3

Turn left onto SR 611

2.0 mi · 4 min · Bob White Boulevard

Use the left lane.

4

Continue on SR 611

1.5 mi · 2 min · Newbern Road

5

Turn left onto Cleburne Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cleburne Boulevard

6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

7

Merge onto I 81

123 mi · 2 hr 15 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

33 mi · 35 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond

9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward VA 631: Charlottesville

10

Turn left onto SR 631

1.7 mi · 3 min · 5th Street

Use the straight lane.

11

Continue on Ridge Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ridge Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

12

Turn slight right onto Water Street West

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Water Street West

13

Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 2nd Street Southwest

14

Turn right onto US 250 BUS

0.3 mi · 59 sec · West Market Street

15

Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast

286 ft · 15 sec · 7th Street Northeast

16

Arrive at destination

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 82.1 miles from Pulaski, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.5 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 36 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 Charlottesville, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pulaski, 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 Pulaski, VA

This is one driving day of about 164.1 miles and 3h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Pulaski, 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 122.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.1 mi from Pulaski, VA · 1h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buchanan, VA

82 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

Shawsville, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buchanan, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Pulaski, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.5 miles.

Arriving in Charlottesville, VA

The final approach into Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

C & O Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlottesville, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10 mile 164.1

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717044

Visit website

Fleurie Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlottesville, Virginia

0.2 mi

Petit Pois Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlottesville, Virginia

0.2 mi

C & O Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717044

Visit website

Fleurie Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $100 or ab mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349717800

Visit website

Petit Pois Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $50 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+14349797647

Visit website

Belle Restaurant and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+14343288755

Visit website

Smyrna

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+14349564250

Visit website

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14342021050

Visit website

Oakhart Social

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm

+14349955449

Visit website

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $40 to $50 mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14349771222

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 46.9

Salem, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 46.9

Salem, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 93.8

Lexington, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 58.6

Fincastle, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 93.8

Lexington, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 46.9

Salem, Virginia

+18668167584

Visit website

The Jeff Hotel

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349797264

Visit website

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349848000

Visit website

Little Mod Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344433207

Visit website

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344002100

Visit website

Hotel

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 164.1

Charlottesville, Virginia

The Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Pulaski, Virginia

Hours: Closed

+15409802307

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 56.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.66 one way

$51.32 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$28.06	$56.12
premium	$4.70	$30.37	$60.74
diesel	$5.61	$36.23	$72.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Supercharger

Salem, Virginia

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Lexington, Virginia

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Salem, Virginia

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Fincastle, Virginia

Electrify America

1 DCFC

EvGateway Charging Station

Lexington, Virginia

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Salem, Virginia

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Tesla: 3 Electrify America: 1 Other: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49.2	$17.23	$7.88
Efficient EV	41	$14.36	$6.56
EV Truck/SUV	65.6	$22.97	$10.50

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pulaski, VA

Evening in Pulaski on Thursday

Local time

6:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charlottesville, VA

Evening in Charlottesville on Thursday

Local time

6:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Buchanan, VA

82 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

4 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

3h 11m 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 Pulaski, VA to Charlottesville, VA covers 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 64, Bob White Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 82.1 miles from Pulaski, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.66 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 99 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (SR 611 / Bob White Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Pulaski, VA to Charlottesville, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Pulaski, VA to Charlottesville, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Charlottesville, VA

Nearby Places

C & O Restaurant

C & O Restaurant

Fleurie Restaurant

Petit Pois Restaurant

Belle Restaurant and Bakery

Smyrna

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room

Oakhart Social

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

EvGateway Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

The Jeff Hotel

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

Little Mod Hotel

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Hotel

The Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation

National Parks Near This Route

Booker T Washington National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pulaski, VA

Charlottesville, VA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 11m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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