Fairfax Station, VA to Shepherdstown, WV is 62.9 miles and takes about 1h 35m via Charles Town Pike and Dulles Greenway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip moves you from the Southeast region of Virginia into West Virginia. With a high percentage of surface roads, expect a more relaxed pace compared to interstate driving. The relatively short distance and manageable duration make this a straightforward day trip, ideal for a quick getaway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.4 miles from Fairfax Station, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles Town Pike
13 mi
22m
Dulles Greenway
11.7 mi
13m
Flowing Springs Road
7.1 mi
11m
Fairfax County Parkway
7 mi
10m
WV 9
6.3 mi
8m
Sully Road
4.4 mi
5m
Leesburg Pike
3.8 mi
5m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Charles Town Pike
— 13 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax Station, VA and Shepherdstown, WV.
1
Start on VA 123
0.1 mi·17 sec·Ox Road
2
Turn right onto SR 643
0.7 mi·1 min·Burke Centre Parkway
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto VA 286
7.0 mi·10 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward US 50 West
5
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
7
Merge onto VA 28
4.4 mi·5 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward VA 267 West: LeesburgUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
10
Merge onto VA 267
12 mi·13 min·Dulles Greenway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward US 15 South, VA 7 West: LeesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 15; VA 7
0.5 mi·39 sec·Leesburg Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on VA 7
3.8 mi·5 min·Leesburg Pike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit onto VA 7 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 9: Hillsboro, Charles TownUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 7 BUS
183 ft·7 sec·VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 9 East, VA 7 West
16
Enter roundabout onto VA 9
29 ft·0 sec·Charles Town Pike
Toward Charlesh Town Pike
17
Continue on VA 9
7.6 mi·12 min·Charles Town Pike
Toward Charlesh Town Pike
18
Enter roundabout onto VA 9
109 ft·6 sec·Charles Town Pike
19
Continue on VA 9
0.4 mi·1 min·Charles Town Pike
20
Enter roundabout onto VA 9
60 ft·3 sec·Charles Town Pike
21
Continue on VA 9
4.9 mi·8 min·Charles Town Pike
22
Continue on WV 9
4.4 mi·5 min·WV 9
23
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 9
1.9 mi·2 min·WV 9
Toward US 340 North, WV 9 West: Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg
24
Take the exit onto Mountain Laurel Boulevard
438 ft·15 sec·Mountain Laurel Boulevard
25
Turn left onto CR 17
7.1 mi·11 min·Flowing Springs Road
26
Turn straight onto WV 230
1.9 mi·2 min·Shepherdstown Pike
27
Continue on WV 230
505 ft·11 sec·East Washington Street
28
Turn right onto WV 230
0.1 mi·15 sec·South Princess Street
29
Turn right onto East German Street
61 ft·2 sec·East German Street
30
Arrive at destination
East German Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 35m drive time, leaving Fairfax Station, VA in the morning allows ample time to reach Shepherdstown, WV and explore. Since this is a shorter trip, you have flexibility with departure time and can easily manage it without overnight stays. Plan for potential brief stops along Charles Town Pike, as it's your longest stretch of road. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's wise to ensure you have enough gas before you begin, as services might be more spread out on the surface road sections.
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 31.4 miles from Fairfax Station, VA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.4 miles or 45m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shepherdstown, WV 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfax Station, VA
This is one driving day of about 62.9 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Fairfax Station, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Charles Town Pike for about 13 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 16.2 and 34.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward VA 267 West: Leesburg
9
29.3 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg
7
34.1 mi into trip|~49m in|VA 7 BUS
Take the exit onto VA 7 BUS toward VA 9: Hillsboro, Charles Town
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 VA 9: Hillsboro, Charles Town
7
34.3 mi into trip|~49m in|VA 7 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 7 BUS toward VA 9 East, VA 7 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 9 East, VA 7 West
6
34.4 mi into trip|~50m in|VA 9 / Charles Town Pike
Enter roundabout onto VA 9 / Charles Town Pike toward Charlesh Town Pike
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward Charlesh Town Pike
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.99 one way
$19.98 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$10.90
$21.79
premium
$4.78
$11.84
$23.67
diesel
$6.18
$15.30
$30.60
Estimated Tolls: $2.92
Dulles Greenway
(11.7 mi)$2.92
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.9
0
$6.60
$3.02
Efficient EV
15.7
0
$5.50
$2.52
EV Truck/SUV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
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
Shepherdstown, WV
Morning
in Shepherdstown on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny
N 12 to 17 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:09AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 35m 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.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$20
near mile 47.7
Park Closure: Bridge to Maryland Heights & C&O Canal CLOSED
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!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 28% highway, meaning you'll transition from faster roads to more local routes. The longest continuous stretch on a primary road is 13 miles on Charles Town Pike. You’ll notice the change as you move from the Dulles Greenway to more surface roads, which will slow your average speed. Expect a generally rural cruising experience for much of the trip.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13 mi on Charles Town Pike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (VA 7 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
638 ft265 ft
Total Climb
443 ft
Total Descent
455 ft
Highest Point
638 ft
~44.9 mi in
Elevation Range
373 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 Shepherdstown, WV, road signs point toward Charles Town and Martinsburg.
Shepherdstown is a small historic town in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, on the Potomac River and near both the Maryland and Virginia borders. It is the oldest town in West Virginia, maintaining its historic structures and the charm of a small town but boasting of a vibrant downtown area with about a dozen restaurants, many small locally-owned shops, and an independent movie theater. The performing arts are a vital part of the town's culture, with the renowned Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University in the summer, live music at local venues throughout the year, and the historic Opera House movie theater showing independent and foreign films on weekends.
Top landmarks
•James Rumsey Monument — American historic monument
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 62.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13 miles on Charles Town Pike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.92 in tolls one way, starting with Dulles Greenway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Shepherdstown, WV before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through WV can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (VA 7 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 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 Shepherdstown, WV before heading back.
