Origin
Charlottesville, VA
Morning in Charlottesville on Tuesday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlottesville, VA to Chantilly, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
96.6 mi
156 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlottesville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Chantilly, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Charlottesville, VA to Chantilly, VA is 96.6 miles and takes about 2h 16m via Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Virginia's Southeast region, primarily on surface roads, making it a straightforward trip. With only one day recommended for this route, it's ideal for a quick excursion or a leg of a larger journey. You can expect a practical driving experience without significant detours, keeping you on track to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seminole Trail | 33.9 mi | 48m |
| James Madison Highway | 23.3 mi | 30m |
| US 15 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| I 66 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| James Monroe Highway | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Sully Road | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Eastern Bypass | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| U.S. 250 Bypass | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Seminole Trail
— 33.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville, VA and Chantilly, VA.
1
Start on this road
233 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
180 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Market Street
3
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
7th Street Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
East High Street
5
Turn right onto Park Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Street
6
Turn left
252 ft
·
7 sec
7
Take the ramp
141 ft
·
3 sec
Toward US 250 West
8
Merge onto US 250
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
U.S. 250 Bypass
9
Turn right onto SR 743
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
10
Enter roundabout onto SR 743
94 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
11
Continue on SR 743
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Hydraulic Road
12
Turn right onto US 29
34 mi
·
48 min
·
Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
James Monroe Highway
14
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi
·
30 min
·
James Madison Highway
15
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Bypass
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 East: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 66
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
I 66
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto VA 28
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Sully Road
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 50: Fairfax, Winchester
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 50
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Route 50
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
US 50
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 16m duration, leaving Charlottesville in the morning allows ample time to reach Chantilly without feeling rushed. Since this is a single-day drive, flexibility is key; you can choose to depart later if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is around $15. The route has no designated stops, so plan to refuel or take breaks in one of the towns along Seminole Trail or James Madison Highway. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push.
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 48.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 21 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.3 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 Chantilly, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, VA
This is one driving day of about 96.6 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Charlottesville, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Seminole Trail for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.3 miles from Charlottesville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 70.3 and 96 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
7
91.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
7
92.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
7
95.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Fairfax, Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50: Fairfax, Winchester
8
96 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.11 one way
$30.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.52 | $33.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.88 | $35.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.33 | $42.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.14 | $4.64 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.45 | $3.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Chantilly, VA
Morning in Chantilly on Tuesday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 23% of the drive on highways. Your longest continuous stretch on a single road is 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. Expect a gradual transition from highway cruising to navigating local streets and intersections as you proceed. This profile means you'll likely encounter more traffic signals and varying speed limits.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.9 mi on Seminole Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.3 miles in near US 15; US 29.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 96.6 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 70.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Charlottesville, VA
Full guide →Charlottesville, in central Virginia, is a lovely university town of about 40,000 with lots to offer. Charlottesville is a town steeped in history and culture. Charlottesville is a major cultural center for central Virginia, and features more fine dining, shopping, and entertainment than one might expect for a town of its size. Ensconced in beautiful Albemarle County, Charlottesville is also surrounded by vineyards and horse country.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 96.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.9 miles on Seminole Trail. 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 Chantilly, 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 70.3 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chantilly, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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