Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
55.2 mi
89 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Fair
3 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Front Royal, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 55.2 miles, the drive from Front Royal to Leesburg is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an economical option for your commute or weekend excursion. You will remain within the Southeast region for the entirety of the trip, transitioning between two Virginia hubs. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this path offers a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two points.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 26.5 mi | 28m |
| James Monroe Highway | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| James Madison Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| John Marshall Highway | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| South King Street | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| West Jackson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Commerce Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Stonewall Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Front Royal, VA and Leesburg, VA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Lee Street
Turn left onto West Jackson Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Stonewall Drive
Turn right onto US 522
Turn left onto VA 55
Turn left onto VA 79
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 66
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Enter roundabout onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Enter roundabout onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Continue on US 15
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.6 miles from Front Royal, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 43.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Lee Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 North: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 15 / James Madison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$8.63 one way
$17.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.22 | $20.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.19 | $24.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.83 | $2.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.73 | $3.53 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Front Royal on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate your way between Front Royal and Leesburg. You will spend about 48% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of I-66, the James Monroe Highway, and the James Madison Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 26.5-mile segment on I-66, which allows for consistent cruising before you transition onto local routes. This blend of interstate travel and highway driving keeps the journey from feeling monotonous while ensuring you make steady progress toward your destination. You should be prepared for the shift in road character as you leave the interstate and move onto the state highways.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lee Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Lee Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 55.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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