Chantilly, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is 112.1 miles and takes about 2h 7m via I 81, I 66, and Sully Road, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Virginia. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the trip. Given its relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and potential for spontaneous stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.1 miles from Chantilly, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
52.5 mi
56m
I 66
52.4 mi
57m
Sully Road
3.1 mi
4m
East Market Street
1.5 mi
3m
Route 50
0.5 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 52.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chantilly, VA and Harrisonburg, VA.
1
Start on US 50
0.5 mi·54 sec·Route 50
Use the right lane.
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward VA 28 South: Centreville
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Use the straight lane.
4
Merge onto VA 28
3.1 mi·4 min·Sully Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front RoyalUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
7
Merge onto I 66
52 mi·57 min·I 66
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 81 South: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 81
53 mi·56 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 33 West: Harrisonburg
11
Turn straight onto US 33
1.5 mi·3 min·East Market Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; US 33
49 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this is a flexible trip that doesn't require rigid planning. Leaving Chantilly, VA in the morning or mid-afternoon works well for a same-day return. You'll have plenty of opportunities for fuel and rest stops along I 81, which is well-equipped. The longest continuous stretch on I 81 is over 50 miles, so be mindful of this if you prefer frequent breaks. Consider packing snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the road and enjoy the efficiency of this direct route.
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 56.1 miles from Chantilly, VA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisonburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, VA
This is one driving day of about 112.1 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Chantilly, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 57.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
4.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
5
4.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
5
4.8 mi into trip|~7m in|I 66
Merge onto I 66
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.53 one way
$35.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.17
$38.33
premium
$4.70
$20.75
$41.49
diesel
$5.61
$24.75
$49.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.6
0
$11.77
$5.38
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.81
$4.48
EV Truck/SUV
44.8
0
$15.69
$7.17
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 18, 2026
Origin
Chantilly, VA
Morning
in Chantilly on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harrisonburg, VA
Morning
in Harrisonburg on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
10 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 7m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 96.7
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 94% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a consistent flow for much of the trip, including a longest stretch of 52.5 miles on I 81. The use of I 66 and Sully Road also contributes to the fast-paced nature of this drive. While largely interstate, the shift between these highways will be the primary change in scenery and road character you encounter.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 112.1 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 112.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Harrisonburg, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Harrisonburg, VA before heading back.
