Origin
Williamsburg, VA
Evening in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamsburg, VA to Charlottesville, VA
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
122 mi
196 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, VA
Eric Joseph
Charlottesville, VA
Eric Joseph
Trip Overview
Traveling from Williamsburg to Charlottesville covers 122 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. This straightforward journey transitions you from the coastal Southeast region into the heart of Virginia. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a one-day excursion, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the transit. By utilizing I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, you can navigate the state efficiently. This route offers a practical connection between two historically significant areas, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to move between regions without an exhausting multi-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61 miles from Williamsburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 92.2 miles on I-64. While the initial leg involves navigating North Henry Street, the majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent cruising on high-speed roads. The character of the drive is consistent and functional rather than technical or winding. You will find that the lack of required stops allows for a steady, predictable pace, letting you focus on the transition from the low-lying eastern terrain toward the rolling landscape of Charlottesville.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 122 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 0.3 miles (VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
40 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
40.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
64.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
121.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
7th Street Northeast
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Williamsburg, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
40 mi in
|
~46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 92.2 mi | 1h 39m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| North Henry Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Monticello Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Capitol Landing Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| VA 20 | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Boundary Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Scotland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, VA and Charlottesville, VA.
1
Start on VA 5
14 ft
·
1 sec
·
Jamestown Road
2
Turn left onto South Boundary Street
120 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Boundary Street
3
Continue on North Boundary Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Boundary Street
4
Turn right onto Scotland Street
474 ft
·
20 sec
·
Scotland Street
5
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Henry Street
Use the none lane.
6
At end of road, turn left onto VA 143
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Capitol Landing Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
8
Merge onto I 64
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 64
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville
15
Turn right onto VA 20
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto VA 20
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
VA 20
17
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
458 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Market Street
18
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
286 ft
·
15 sec
·
7th Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of less than two and a half hours, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that estimated 2-hour and 19-minute travel time. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the journey in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Williamsburg to ensure you stay within your $20 budget. Planning your arrival for mid-day is a smart move if you want to avoid the potential congestion often found near major interstate interchanges. Above all, take advantage of the short duration to enjoy a leisurely morning before you head out on the I-64 corridor.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Williamsburg, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
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 Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Williamsburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 92.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61 mi from Williamsburg, VA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 61 miles from Williamsburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.52 one way
$39.05 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $21.27 | $42.55 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.95 | $45.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.10 | $54.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.81 | $5.86 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.67 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.08 | $7.81 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Charlottesville, VA
Evening in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
61 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
1 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
2h 19m 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 Williamsburg, VA to Charlottesville, VA covers 122 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, North Henry Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61 miles from Williamsburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.52 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 122 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 0.3 miles (VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Williamsburg, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
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