Traveling from Colonial Heights to Harrisonburg covers approximately 150.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. This straightforward journey transitions you from the Southeast region of Virginia toward the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Given the manageable timeframe, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $24 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Because the drive is primarily interstate-focused, it provides a reliable and consistent experience for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. It serves as a practical connection between these two Virginia hubs.
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
75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
99.6 mi
1h 50m
I 81
23.7 mi
26m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
20.3 mi
25m
Route 1
1.6 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
3m
Woods Edge Road
0.9 mi
1m
Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Port Republic Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Harrisonburg, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi·1 min·Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 1
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
0.9 mi·1 min·Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
20 mi·25 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
100 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 64
Exit 79Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
10
Merge onto I 81
24 mi·26 min·I 81
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
12
Turn left onto VA 253
0.6 mi·1 min·Port Republic Road
13
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi·3 min·South Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies so heavily on major interstates, keep a close eye on traffic reports for I-64 and I-81, as congestion can fluctuate during peak commuting hours. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid heavy traffic and ensure you arrive in Harrisonburg with plenty of daylight left. With a total estimated fuel cost of $24, it is wise to fuel up before leaving Colonial Heights to avoid paying higher prices near the major highway interchanges. Remember that because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal needs.
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 75.1 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 29m 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 23m
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 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 150.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 64 for about 99.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 24.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Ellerslie Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m 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 lane.
9
24.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.50 one way
$47.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.70
$51.40
premium
$4.70
$27.82
$55.63
diesel
$5.61
$33.18
$66.37
Estimated Tolls: $1.42
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(20.3 mi)$1.42
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Efficient EV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
EV Truck/SUV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night
in Harrisonburg on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
10 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 56m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$30
near mile 150.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as this route is 97% highway-based. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via I-64, I-81, and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-64, where you will spend 99.6 miles maintaining a steady pace. Because the profile is heavily highway-focused, the drive prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, winding roads found in the countryside. Behind the wheel, you will notice the transition from the flatter landscapes of the Southeast region toward the more mountainous terrain characteristic of the Harrisonburg area as you merge onto I-81.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Ellerslie Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 150.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Harrisonburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Winchester along the way.
Winchester
124.2 mi in|~2h 24m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.42 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Ellerslie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 1; US 301; VA 144 / Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Shenandoah National Park. 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.
