Traveling from Harrisonburg to Annandale covers 124.4 miles through the Southeast, making for a manageable trip that typically takes 2 hours and 23 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, you should plan on this being a straightforward one-day excursion. You will navigate through East Elizabeth Street, North Mason Street, and East Market Street as you transition from the Shenandoah Valley toward Northern Virginia. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your needs for this distance. Since the entire route is within Virginia, you won't deal with regional transitions, but the shift from Harrisonburg’s local atmosphere to the denser environment of Annandale is distinct. It is an ideal route if you prefer staying off the major interstates and navigating local corridors.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 66
64.1 mi
1h 11m
I 81
52.8 mi
56m
Capital Beltway
2.9 mi
3m
East Market Street
1.5 mi
3m
Little River Turnpike
1.2 mi
2m
East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi
<1m
North Mason Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 64.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Annandale, VA.
1
Start on US 11; US 33
335 ft·15 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·East Elizabeth Street
3
Turn right onto North Mason Street
382 ft·15 sec·North Mason Street
4
Turn left onto US 33
1.5 mi·3 min·East Market Street
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 81 North: Elkton
6
Merge onto I 81
53 mi·56 min·I 81
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
8
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
21 mi·25 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 64AToward I 495 South: Richmond, AlexandriaUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 495
2.9 mi·3 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 52A-BToward VA 236: Fairfax, AnnandaleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Annandale
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 52BToward VA 236 East: AnnandaleUse the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto VA 236
1.2 mi·2 min·Little River Turnpike
16
Arrive at destination
VA 236
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 124.4-mile trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local streets that make up your route. Since there are zero planned stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pace the 2-hour and 23-minute drive exactly how you prefer. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the heavy reliance on turns like East Market Street and North Mason Street means missing a single intersection can add time to your arrival. With a fuel budget of $20, it is wise to fill your tank before you leave Harrisonburg so you don't have to worry about finding a station while navigating the more complex, turn-heavy sections of the drive.
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 62.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.1 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Annandale, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Harrisonburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 66 for about 64.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.9 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
122.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward VA 236: Fairfax, Annandale
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 52A-B
Toward VA 236: Fairfax, Annandale
7
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Annandale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 236 East: Little River Turnpike, Anna...
9
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 236 East: Annandale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 52B
Toward VA 236 East: Annandale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.45 one way
$38.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.27
$42.54
premium
$4.70
$23.02
$46.05
diesel
$5.61
$27.47
$54.93
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
Little River Turnpike
(1.2 mi)$0.09
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
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
Efficient EV
31.1
0
$10.89
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.42
$7.96
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night
in Harrisonburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Annandale, VA
Late night
in Annandale on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Petersburg, VA
62 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 17.2
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!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 107.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route features a 0% highway share, relying entirely on local roads. The journey is characterized by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various street turns and intersections. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive keeps you engaged with the changing landscape between these two Virginia hubs. You will find that the road demands more focus than a typical interstate trek due to the frequent transitions between local streets. This is a practical, ground-level way to see the transition between these two areas without the monotony of high-speed travel.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.1 mi on I 66.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 66 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.9 miles in near I 66.
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 12 significant decision points across 124.4 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 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Annandale, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
54.8 mi in|~1h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.1 miles on I 66. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.09 in tolls one way, starting with Little River Turnpike. 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 Annandale, VA 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National 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 Annandale, VA before heading back.
