Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
57.9 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Culpeper, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
This 57.9-mile drive from Culpeper, VA to Leesburg, VA is a straightforward, single-day adventure. Expect the journey to take about 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a perfect option for a quick getaway. You'll primarily navigate along James Madison Highway and James Monroe Highway, with US 15 also playing a role. With a low fuel cost estimated at $9, this route offers an economical way to travel between the Southeast regions of Virginia. The overall feel is that of a local road trip, focusing on efficient travel rather than extensive sightseeing.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James Madison Highway | 30.2 mi | 42m |
| James Monroe Highway | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| US 15 | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Eastern Bypass | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South King Street | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Brandy Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| US 15 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Culpeper, VA and Leesburg, VA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto West Davis Street
Turn left onto US 522; US 15 BUS; US 29 BUS
Enter roundabout onto US 15 BUS; US 29 BUS
Continue on US 15 BUS; US 29 BUS
Continue on US 15 BUS; US 29 BUS
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 29 Business
Merge onto US 15; US 29
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
Turn left onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Enter roundabout onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Enter roundabout onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Continue on US 15
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29 miles from Culpeper, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 46.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto West Davis Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 29 Business toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 15 / James Madison Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$9.05 one way
$18.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.90 | $19.80 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.72 | $21.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.11 | $3.71 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Culpeper on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
56°F
Gainesville, VA
29 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this 57.9-mile route, as only 14% of it is on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 30.2 miles along James Madison Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel. As you make your way from Culpeper to Leesburg, the road will present a dynamic driving experience, shifting between more direct highway segments and numerous local turns. This character suggests a need for attention to navigation and a willingness to adapt to changing road conditions.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Davis Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 26m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Davis Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles (US 15 Business; US 29 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Leesburg is in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the War of 1812, Leesburg was used as a temporary capital of the United States when the British occupied Washington.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 57.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (14%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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