Road Trips from Colonial Heights, VA
Thinking about a weekend escape from Colonial Heights? You've got options for a quick park-focused day trip or something a bit longer. Several destinations are just under two hours away, offering access to significant historical parks like Petersburg National Battlefield and Colonial National Historical Park. If you're up for a slightly longer drive, there are routes with higher drive scores that take you further inland for a different feel. Whether you want to stay close and explore history or venture a bit more, there's a route suited for your weekend.
Total Routes
16
Shortest
0.6h
With Parks Nearby
14
Under 2 hours
7 total in this range
Newport News, VA
1h 38m79.7 mi one way
This is your fastest route to Newport News at 1.6 hours, primarily on the highway. It offers a drive score of 8 and includes access to Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield, and Fort Monroe National Monument, making it a strong contender for a park-centric day trip.
Portsmouth, VA
1h 53m83.4 mi one way
Taking about 1.9 hours, this trip uses mostly surface roads with a drive score of 7. You'll pass by Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park, and Fort Monroe National Monument, giving you park access similar to other nearby options but on a less highway-dependent route.
Portsmouth Heights, VA
1h 52m81.3 mi one way
Similar to the Portsmouth trip, this route also takes 1.9 hours on surface roads and has a drive score of 7. It provides access to Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park, and Fort Monroe National Monument, making it a comparable choice for park exploration.
East Hampton, VA
1h 49m79.3 mi one way
At 1.8 hours and a drive score of 7, this option primarily uses surface roads. It's a good choice if you want to visit Fort Monroe National Monument, Petersburg National Battlefield, or Colonial National Historical Park without much highway driving.
Norfolk, VA
1h 55m84 mi one way
This 1.9-hour drive uses mostly surface roads and scores a 7. It grants you proximity to Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park, and Fort Monroe National Monument, aligning with other routes for historical park access.
Full-day getaway
9 total in this range
West Lynchburg, VA
2h 33m119.8 mi one way
For a higher-rated drive, this 2.6-hour trip features a mix of highway and surface roads with a drive score of 9. It's a longer option that includes access to Petersburg National Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
Danville, VA
2h 55m139.1 mi one way
This is your longest direct route at 2.9 hours, mostly highway with a high drive score of 9. It's a more substantial drive and offers access to Petersburg National Battlefield.
Lynchburg, VA
2h 31m117.8 mi one way
This 2.5-hour drive uses a mix of highway and surface roads and boasts a drive score of 9. It provides access to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield, making it a solid choice for a longer excursion.
Leesburg, VA
3h 9m150.7 mi one way
At 3.2 hours, this is the longest option and primarily highway, earning a drive score of 9. It offers access to Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Petersburg National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, suitable for an extended trip.
Virginia Beach, VA
2h 21m103.2 mi one way
This 2.4-hour drive to Virginia Beach uses mostly surface roads and has a drive score of 9. It's the only option that doesn't list nearby parks, focusing instead on reaching the coastal destination.
Browse by Mood
West Lynchburg, VA
2h 33m119.8 mi one way
Danville, VA
2h 55m139.1 mi one way
Lynchburg, VA
2h 31m117.8 mi one way
Leesburg, VA
3h 9m150.7 mi one way
Danville, VA
2h 55m139.1 mi one way
Leesburg, VA
3h 9m150.7 mi one way
Virginia Beach, VA
2h 21m103.2 mi one way
Alexandria, VA
2h 30m124 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers excellent opportunities to visit the historical parks like Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield, with mild weather for exploring.
Summer
Summer drives are suitable for exploring the historical sites, though the longer routes might be best tackled earlier or later in the day to avoid heat.
Fall
Autumn is ideal for visiting the numerous historical parks, with comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration and scenic drives.
Winter
Winter drives are feasible, especially the shorter, highway-focused routes to destinations like Newport News, though park visitation might be impacted by weather.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Colonial Heights, VA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.