Fairfax Station, VA to Mercersburg, PA is 98.2 miles and takes about 2h 13m via I-270 and I-70, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region into the Northeast, transitioning from Virginia into Pennsylvania. Given its mostly highway profile and relatively short distance, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice if you're looking for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from Fairfax Station, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
28.6 mi
30m
I 270
28 mi
35m
Capital Beltway
9.7 mi
11m
Mercersburg Road
7.4 mi
13m
Greencastle Pike
5.1 mi
7m
I 66
4.1 mi
5m
I 270 Spur
3.1 mi
4m
Ox Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 28.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax Station, VA and Mercersburg, 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
29 mi·30 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 24Toward MD 63: Williamsport, HuyettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
515 ft·12 sec
Toward MD 63 North: Huyett, Hagerstown SpeedwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto MD 63
5.1 mi·7 min·Greencastle Pike
20
Enter roundabout onto Cearfoss Pike
195 ft·4 sec·Cearfoss Pike
21
Continue on Cearfoss Pike
2.1 mi·4 min·Cearfoss Pike
22
Continue on PA 416
7.4 mi·13 min·Mercersburg Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto PA 16; PA 416
2.0 mi·3 min·Buchanan Trail West
24
Continue on PA 16; PA 75; PA 416
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
25
Turn right onto East Seminary Street
233 ft·15 sec·East Seminary Street
26
Turn right onto JEB Stuart Alley
123 ft·9 sec·JEB Stuart Alley
27
Arrive at destination
JEB Stuart Alley
Trip Plan
For this 2h 13m drive, starting in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. Since it's a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in one day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you get too far from the larger towns, as the $17 fuel cost is an estimate. The route primarily utilizes I-270 and I-70, so be prepared for typical interstate driving conditions, including potential traffic around urban areas. Aim to leave Fairfax Station by mid-morning to avoid the worst of any commuter congestion.
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 49.1 miles from Fairfax Station, VA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 49.1 miles or 1h 7m 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 Mercersburg, 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 98.2 miles and 2h 13m.
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 70 for about 28.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 81 — 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
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
8
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward MD 63: Williamsport, Huyett
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 24
Toward MD 63: Williamsport, Huyett
9
81 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 63 North: Huyett, Hagerstown Speedway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 63 North: Huyett, Hagerstown Speedway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.60 one way
$31.20 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$17.01
$34.02
premium
$4.78
$18.48
$36.96
diesel
$6.18
$23.89
$47.78
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: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.31
$4.71
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.59
$3.93
EV Truck/SUV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 17, 2026
Origin
Fairfax Station, VA
Late night
in Fairfax Station on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
N 17 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 11:49AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 11:49AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Mercersburg, PA
Late night
in Mercersburg on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
N 12 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 12:43PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 12:36PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
1 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 13m 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 40.6
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
~39 min detour
$20
near mile 64.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 65% of it on major interstates like I-70 and I-270. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on I-70, covering 28.6 miles. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits as you navigate these busy corridors. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you near your destination in Mercersburg.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 270. 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 20 significant decision points across 98.2 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 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
596 ft266 ft
Total Climb
696 ft
Total Descent
527 ft
Highest Point
596 ft
~56.1 mi in
Elevation Range
330 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 Mercersburg, PA, road signs point toward Baltimore, Frederick, Huyett and Hagerstown Speedway.
Mercersburg is a small town in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country region of Pennsylvania, not far from the Appalachian mountain chain that separates Mercersburg from McConnellsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.6 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Mercersburg, 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 6 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 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.5 miles: 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 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 Mercersburg, PA before heading back.
