Bristol, VA Road Trips
Drivers starting from Bristol, VA have 5 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Southeast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 367 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Bristol, VA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
8
Longest Drive
430.8 mi
Virginia Beach, VA
Quickest Drive
3h 58m
Lynchburg, VA
Plan Around Bristol, VA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Bristol, VA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Bristol, VA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Bristol, VA
Driving from Bristol, VA
On average, trips departing from Bristol, VA run 367 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 49m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 431 miles (8h 3m), while the shortest is just 246 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Bristol, VA are Virginia Beach, VA (430.8 mi, 8h 3m), Portsmouth, VA (420.5 mi, 7h 49m), Norfolk, VA (415.4 mi, 7h 46m), Richmond, VA (322.2 mi, 5h 57m), and Harrisonburg, VA (246 mi, 4h 33m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in VA currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 367-mile trip from Bristol, VA, budget about $57 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Bristol, VA and 3 routes heading into Bristol, VA, covering 8 total connections. Distances range from 246 to 431 miles.
The longest mapped route from Bristol, VA covers 431 miles and takes approximately 8h 3m. Shorter options start at just 246 miles.
The average route from Bristol, VA runs about 367 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 49m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 367-mile trip from Bristol, VA costs roughly $57 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Bristol, VA include Virginia Beach, VA, Portsmouth, VA, Norfolk, VA and Richmond, VA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Bristol, VA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
17,024
Median Income
$44,706
Median Home Value
$168,700
Median Age
42.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
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