Fairfax Station, VA to Chambersburg, PA is 100.7 miles and takes about 2h 12m via I 270, I 70, and Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region into the Northeast, transitioning from Virginia into Pennsylvania. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a good option for a quick hop between states without requiring an overnight stay. Plan for a relatively uncomplicated journey that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.4 miles from Fairfax Station, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 270
28 mi
35m
I 70
21 mi
22m
Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
18.9 mi
22m
Capital Beltway
9.7 mi
11m
I 66
4.1 mi
5m
I 270 Spur
3.1 mi
4m
Dual Highway
3.1 mi
5m
Ox Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 270
— 28 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax Station, VA and Chambersburg, PA.
1
Start on VA 123
0.1 mi·17 sec·Ox Road
2
Turn right onto SR 643
148 ft·8 sec·Burke Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on SR 643
186 ft·13 sec·Burke Centre Parkway
4
Turn left onto VA 123
2.9 mi·5 min·Ox Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on VA 123
2.0 mi·5 min·Chain Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 East: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 66
4.1 mi·5 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 64BToward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 495
9.7 mi·11 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 Spur
3.1 mi·4 min·I 270 Spur
Exit 38Toward I 270: Rockville, Frederick
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270
7.0 mi·9 min·I 270
Toward I 270 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 11; 12Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 270
21 mi·26 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 32Toward I 70: Hagerstown, BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 70 West: HagerstownUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
21 mi·22 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 32BToward US 40 West: HagerstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto US 40
3.1 mi·5 min·Dual Highway
19
Continue on US 40
1.8 mi·3 min·East Franklin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
21
Merge onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward PA 316: Waynesboro
23
Turn right onto PA 316
1.5 mi·2 min·Wayne Avenue
24
Continue on PA 316
0.9 mi·2 min·South 2nd Street
25
Turn left onto East King Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·East King Street
26
Turn left onto US 11
509 ft·19 sec·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 11
53 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 12m duration, starting your drive after morning rush hour in Fairfax Station, VA, around 9:30 AM, should allow for a smooth departure. Since this is a one-day trip, you won't need to rush, but keep an eye on the clock if you plan to make any unscheduled stops. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 28 miles on I 270, so plan your break before or after that segment if needed. Your estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure you have enough fuel before leaving or at a station along I-70, as it's the primary artery for a good portion of the trip.
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 50.4 miles from Fairfax Station, VA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.4 miles or 1h 9m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chambersburg, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfax Station, 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 Fairfax Station, VA
This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fairfax Station, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 270 for about 28 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 51.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 64B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
7
20.1 mi into trip|~30m in|I 270 Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 Spur toward I 270: Rockville, Frederick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 38
Toward I 270: Rockville, Frederick
7
23.2 mi into trip|~34m in|I 270
Keep slight left at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 North
8
30.3 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West Diamond Avenue, Montgomery Village Avenue, Quince Orchard Road, Watkins Mill Road
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 11; 12
Toward MD 117, MD 124 North: Clopper Road, West...
8
51.5 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
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 32
Toward I 70: Hagerstown, Baltimore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.00 one way
$31.99 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$17.44
$34.89
premium
$4.78
$18.95
$37.90
diesel
$6.18
$24.50
$48.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.2
0
$10.57
$4.83
Efficient EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
EV Truck/SUV
40.3
0
$14.10
$6.44
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Fairfax Station, VA
Morning
in Fairfax Station on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 17 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 10:15AM EDT until October 18 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Chambersburg, PA
Morning
in Chambersburg on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Sunny
N 12 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
2 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 12m on the road
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.
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!
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 41.7
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
near mile 62.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 100.7-mile drive is 56% highway, offering a significant stretch of comfortable cruising. You'll experience a 28-mile segment on I 270, which is the longest continuous highway portion. The profile is mixed highway and surface roads, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced interstate driving to surface streets as you approach your destination. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate the interstate segments.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28 mi on I 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 9.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 100.7 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
908 ft250 ft
Total Climb
916 ft
Total Descent
710 ft
Highest Point
908 ft
~57.6 mi in
Elevation Range
658 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfax Station, VA and Chambersburg, PA, road signs point toward Baltimore and Frederick.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28 miles on I 270. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Chambersburg, PA 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles (I 270 Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (I 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical 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 Chambersburg, PA before heading back.
