Spanning 115.6 miles, this drive from Colonial Heights to Manassas is a straightforward trek through Virginia’s Southeast region. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the journey is entirely within the same state and region, you will experience a consistent travel environment throughout the trip. It is a practical route for those needing to move between these two areas efficiently without the complexity of a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
73.1 mi
1h 24m
I 95
20.2 mi
23m
Dumfries Road
15.8 mi
23m
Route 1
1.6 mi
2m
Woods Edge Road
0.9 mi
1m
Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Grant Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Manassas, 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 left at fork onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·21 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
13
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·20 min·Dumfries Road
14
Take the exit onto VA 234 BUS
0.3 mi·43 sec·VA 234 BUS
15
Turn left onto VA 234 BUS
1.7 mi·3 min·Dumfries Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on VA 234 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Grant Avenue
17
Enter roundabout onto VA 234 BUS
66 ft·1 sec·Grant Avenue
18
Continue on VA 234 BUS
0.4 mi·53 sec·Grant Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
VA 234 BUS
Trip Plan
Because this route relies heavily on the I-95 corridor, plan your departure carefully to avoid peak traffic congestion common on these major arteries. Since the trip takes less than two and a half hours, you have the flexibility to make the drive in one go without needing scheduled overnight stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the main highway segments to ensure you stay within your $19 budget. A smart tip for this specific route is to check real-time traffic alerts for I-95 before you leave Colonial Heights, as this interstate is prone to delays that could easily add time to your 2-hour and 23-minute estimate.
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 57.8 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 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 Manassas, 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 115.6 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 73.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.5 — 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.
6
24.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
98.5 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 152B
Toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.08 one way
$36.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.77
$39.53
premium
$4.70
$21.40
$42.79
diesel
$5.61
$25.52
$51.05
Estimated Tolls: $5.11
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(73.1 mi)$5.11
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
$18
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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
Manassas, VA
Late night
in Manassas on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
58 mi in
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
11 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 23m 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
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!
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 115.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will navigate the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95 before transitioning onto Dumfries Road to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time will be spent on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, which accounts for a 73.1-mile stretch of the journey. Because the majority of the drive relies on high-speed interstate infrastructure, the pace is consistent and utilitarian. You can expect a standard highway driving experience that prioritizes directness and speed over rural backroads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Ellerslie Avenue.
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 12 significant decision points across 115.6 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: 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.11 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 — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Manassas, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
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 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 Manassas, VA before heading back.
