Road Trips from Williamsburg, VA
Williamsburg, VA, is your launchpad for drives that vary from quick hops to longer excursions. You've got options for short, under-an-hour highway trips, perfect for a quick change of scenery. If you're looking for something more substantial, there are several destinations around the 2-3 hour mark, many with access to national parks. For the truly ambitious, longer drives up to 4.5 hours open up even more possibilities, including routes with varied terrain.
Total Routes
8
Shortest
0.5h
With Parks Nearby
6
Under 2 hours
Norfolk, VA
1h 3m43.8 mi one way
This 1.1-hour drive to Norfolk is a straightforward highway option, scoring an 8 out of 10 for its drive quality. It's a quick trip, less than an hour longer than heading to Newport News, and offers proximity to Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument.
Richmond, VA
1h 4m53.2 mi one way
A 1.1-hour highway drive gets you to Richmond, with a solid drive score of 7. This route provides access to Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield, and Fort Monroe National Monument, making it a good choice if you want park access on a short trip.
Newport News, VA
31m21.3 mi one way
For the shortest trip, head to Newport News, just 21.3 miles and 0.5 hours away. It's a quick highway drive (score of 7) and doesn't directly feature parks, making it ideal if you're prioritizing minimal travel time over natural attractions.
Full-day getaway
Charlottesville, VA
2h 19m122 mi one way
This 2.3-hour drive to Charlottesville offers a higher drive score of 9. It's a longer trip than heading to Richmond, but it also provides access to Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield, and Fort Monroe National Monument.
Leesburg, VA
3h 31m175.3 mi one way
Leesburg is a 3.5-hour drive, scoring a 9 for its drive quality and featuring mostly flat terrain. This route is longer than the trip to Charlottesville and includes access to the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Colonial National Historical Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Lynchburg, VA
3h 28m161.4 mi one way
This 3.5-hour drive to Lynchburg has a 'Mixed drive' profile and a score of 9. It's comparable in time to Leesburg but offers different park access, including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park, and Petersburg National Battlefield.
Harrisonburg, VA
3h 25m180.8 mi one way
Harrisonburg is a 3.4-hour drive with a good score of 8. This route is slightly longer than the trip to Lynchburg and includes Shenandoah National Park alongside Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield.
Weekend trip
Browse by Mood
Charlottesville, VA
2h 19m122 mi one way
Leesburg, VA
3h 31m175.3 mi one way
Norfolk, VA
1h 3m43.8 mi one way
Lynchburg, VA
3h 28m161.4 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions for exploring parks like Colonial National Historical Park and Shenandoah National Park, accessible on various routes.
Summer
Summer is ideal for longer drives to destinations like Roanoke, with its gently rolling terrain and access to historical monuments.
Fall
Fall foliage could enhance the drives to destinations with parks such as Shenandoah National Park or Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Winter
Winter drives are feasible, especially the shorter highway-focused trips, though park accessibility might be affected.
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 Williamsburg, VA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.