Driving from Colonial Heights to Danville is a straightforward 139.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes. Since this trip stays entirely within Virginia's Southeast region, you will find it manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route relies on a combination of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Highway 58, and Philpott Road. Because the drive is under three hours, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay, making it a highly efficient connection between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
57.4 mi
1h 3m
Highway 58
37.7 mi
48m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
South Boston Highway
5.3 mi
7m
South Boston Road
4.2 mi
7m
Clarksville Bypass
4 mi
5m
South Hill Bypass
3.5 mi
4m
Highway 1
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 57.4 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Danville, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·20 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto Conduit Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Conduit Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto West Roslyn Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Roslyn Road
5
Take the ramp
382 ft·9 sec
Toward I 95 South
6
Merge onto I 95
1.3 mi·1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Exit 51Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
252 ft·9 sec
Exit 12BToward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
10
Turn right onto US 58
503 ft·12 sec·East Atlantic Street
11
Continue on US 58
3.5 mi·4 min·South Hill Bypass
12
Continue on US 1; US 58
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1
13
Continue on US 58
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
14
Turn straight onto US 58
4.0 mi·5 min·Clarksville Bypass
Toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, DanvilleUse the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 58; VA 49
19 mi·24 min·Highway 58
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
17
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
18
Continue on US 58; US 360
4.2 mi·7 min·South Boston Road
19
Continue on US 360; US 58 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·River Street
20
Turn left onto VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
21
Turn left onto VA 293
105 ft·2 sec·South Ridge Street
22
Arrive at destination
VA 293
Trip Plan
To keep your trip efficient, plan for one dedicated stop along the way to break up the nearly three-hour duration. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing to account for a multi-day itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning off the main turnpike, as refueling options may vary once you reach the segments on Highway 58. Since you have a $22 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Colonial Heights will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Danville without stress. This route is best treated as a simple, direct transit, so take advantage of the predictable highway segments to reach your destination on schedule.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.4 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.6 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 139.1 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 57.4 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 0.9 and 60.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|Conduit Road
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
8
60 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
8
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12B
Toward US 58 West, SR 47: South Hill, Chase Cit...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.75 one way
$43.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.78
$47.57
premium
$4.70
$25.74
$51.49
diesel
$5.61
$30.71
$61.42
Estimated Tolls: $4.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(56.1 mi)$3.93
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(1.3 mi)$0.09
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.61
$6.68
Efficient EV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.47
$8.90
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Colonial Heights, VA
Late night
in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Danville, VA
Late night
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 9.6
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 71% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. You will settle into the longest uninterrupted stretch early on, covering 57.4 miles along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Once you transition away from the turnpike and onto Highway 58 and Philpott Road, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed interstate travel to more localized highway transit. The road remains consistent throughout, providing a predictable environment that allows you to maintain a steady pace. It is a functional drive designed for direct transit rather than constant winding turns.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.4 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and Highway 58. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Conduit Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to Danville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Chase City along the way.
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793 , Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 139.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.4 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.02 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Danville, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield. 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 Danville, VA before heading back.
