Danville, VA to Leesburg, VA is 233.4 miles and takes about 5h 11m via US 29 and James Madison Highway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region towards the northern part of the state. The route is mostly on main roads and highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day travel time, it's a solid option for a quick trip between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116.7 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
116.1 mi
2h 24m
James Madison Highway
34.4 mi
46m
Seminole Trail
33.9 mi
48m
James Monroe Highway
19.4 mi
26m
Danville Expressway
12.4 mi
15m
US 15
8.1 mi
11m
Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi
3m
South King Street
2.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 116.1 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and Leesburg, VA.
1
Start on VA 293
415 ft·15 sec·South Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto VA 293
1.2 mi·2 min·Patton Street
3
Turn slight right onto VA 360
0.8 mi·1 min·Justin Lane
4
Turn straight onto VA 360
0.6 mi·59 sec·Richmond Boulevard
5
Continue on VA 360
0.5 mi·49 sec·Old Richmond Road
6
Turn left onto VA 41
349 ft·11 sec·Franklin Turnpike
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
8
Merge onto US 29
12 mi·15 min·Danville Expressway
9
Continue on US 29
11 mi·13 min·US 29
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
35 mi·43 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North
11
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 29
64 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
14
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
15
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
16
Continue on US 29
34 mi·48 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 29
7.7 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
18
Continue on US 15; US 29
23 mi·30 min·James Madison Highway
19
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
8.1 mi·11 min·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
21
Turn left onto US 15
11 mi·16 min·James Madison Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi·3 min·James Monroe Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft·1 sec·James Monroe Highway
24
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi·38 sec·James Monroe Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft·2 sec·James Monroe Highway
26
Continue on US 15
9.1 mi·12 min·James Monroe Highway
27
Continue on US 15
2.4 mi·6 min·South King Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
226 ft·7 sec·East Market Street
29
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 11m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Leesburg well before evening. The route has one recommended stop, so plan for a break roughly halfway through your 233.4-mile drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 116.1-mile stretch on US 29, and be aware that the road profile shifts from highway to surface roads. The fuel cost is estimated around $40, so factor that into your budget before you depart.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.7 miles from Danville, VA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.1 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Danville, 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 Danville, VA
This is one driving day of about 233.4 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Danville, 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 US 29 for about 116.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.7 and 208.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.7 mi into trip|~34m in|US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 29 North
7
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
67.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
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 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
6
200.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 North, US 29 North
5
208.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|US 15 / James Madison Highway
Turn left onto US 15 / James Madison Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.46 one way
$68.92 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.87
$75.74
premium
$4.49
$41.28
$82.55
diesel
$4.80
$44.07
$88.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.51
$11.20
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.42
$9.34
EV Truck/SUV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Danville, VA
Morning
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 to 12 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:23PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:16PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Leesburg, VA
Morning
in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 8 to 12 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:23PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:16PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
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
5 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 233.4
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (McLean, Virginia)
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$30
near mile 152.9
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 72.4
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$20
near mile 233.4
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 40.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 59% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 5h 11m on higher-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 116.1 miles on US 29. Expect the highway sections to transition into surface roads, particularly as you get closer to your destination. You'll notice a mixed driving experience with opportunities for both cruising and navigating more local traffic.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.1 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.7 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 233.4 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 26.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
882 ft318 ft
Total Climb
673 ft
Total Descent
840 ft
Highest Point
882 ft
~50.5 mi in
Elevation Range
564 ft
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 Danville, VA to Leesburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville 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.
Top landmarks
•Danville — Amtrak station in Danville, Virginia, United States
•Dan's Hill — historic home located near Danville in Pittsylvania County, Virginia
•Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church South — church building in Danville, United States of America
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 233.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.1 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas 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 Leesburg, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.3 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Shenandoah National Park and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Leesburg, VA before the return drive.
