Fairfax Station, VA to Gettysburg, PA is 88.5 miles and takes about 2h 2m via Catoctin Mountain Highway and I-270, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region into the Northeast, transitioning from Virginia into Pennsylvania. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward and manageable trip. It's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you ample time to explore Gettysburg upon arrival without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Fairfax Station, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Catoctin Mountain Highway
28.4 mi
37m
I 270
28 mi
35m
Capital Beltway
9.7 mi
11m
Frederick Freeway
4.5 mi
6m
I 66
4.1 mi
5m
Taneytown Road
3.1 mi
4m
I 270 Spur
3.1 mi
4m
Ox Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Catoctin Mountain Highway
— 28.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax Station, VA and Gettysburg, 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
Continue on Frederick Freeway
4.5 mi·6 min·Frederick Freeway
Toward US 15 North: Frederick, GettysburgUse the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 15
28 mi·37 min·Catoctin Mountain Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward PA 134Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto PA 134
3.1 mi·4 min·Taneytown Road
18
Continue on PA 134
498 ft·18 sec·South Washington Street
19
Turn slight right onto US 15 Business
0.2 mi·41 sec·Steinwehr Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 15 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·Baltimore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116
143 ft·5 sec·Lincoln Square
22
Arrive at destination
US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you a full day in Gettysburg. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one brief stop if needed; the longest stretch without a major highway change is 28.4 miles on Catoctin Mountain Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel as you near Gettysburg, as the $15 budget is an estimate and prices can vary. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll need to adjust your driving pace accordingly, especially in the latter half 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 44.2 miles from Fairfax Station, VA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.4 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 1h 1m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gettysburg, 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 88.5 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Fairfax Station, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Catoctin Mountain Highway for about 28.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 30.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 643 / Burke Centre Parkway
Turn right onto SR 643 / Burke Centre Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.06 one way
$28.12 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.33
$30.66
premium
$4.78
$16.65
$33.31
diesel
$6.18
$21.53
$43.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Fairfax Station, VA
Late night
in Fairfax Station on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SW 7 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gettysburg, PA
Late night
in Gettysburg on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph23% chanceLive 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
4 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 2m 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
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 39.7
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$20
near mile 51.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 45% of this 88.5-mile drive is on highways like I-270. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Catoctin Mountain Highway, covering 28.4 miles. The route transitions from highway cruising to surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach Gettysburg. The presence of the Capital Beltway suggests some initial urban merging may be involved before you transition to more open road.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.4 mi on Catoctin Mountain Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.1 miles in near SR 643 / Burke Centre Parkway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 88.5 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 0.1 miles (SR 643 / Burke Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
626 ft161 ft
Total Climb
898 ft
Total Descent
773 ft
Highest Point
626 ft
~37.9 mi in
Elevation Range
466 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 Gettysburg, PA, road signs point toward Baltimore and Frederick.
Gettysburg, in Adams County in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, goes down in history as the battlefield in the Civil War where, despite terrible tragedy and loss of life, there was hope for the Union. In many ways, Gettysburg is where the North won the Civil War, and where Abraham Lincoln gave the Union hope that, somehow, something good was to come out of the lives lost in battle.
Top landmarks
•Adams County Courthouse — courthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
•Schmucker Hall — American Civil War site listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ad...
•Evergreen Cemetery — cemetery in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 88.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). 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 28.4 miles on Catoctin Mountain Highway. 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 Gettysburg, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 643 / Burke Centre Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 Gettysburg, PA before heading back.
