Harrisonburg, VA to Fairfax Station, VA is 116.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m via I 81 and I 66, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick transit. You'll find it's a manageable journey that doesn't require extensive planning or overnight stays, ideal for a same-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 66
54 mi
59m
I 81
52.8 mi
56m
Fairfax County Parkway
5.1 mi
7m
East Market Street
1.5 mi
3m
Burke Centre Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
Ox Road
0.3 mi
<1m
East Elizabeth Street
0.1 mi
<1m
North Mason Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 54 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Fairfax Station, 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
11 mi·13 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 55B-AToward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfield HerndonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 55AToward VA 286 South: SpringfieldUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto VA 286
5.1 mi·7 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 643
0.7 mi·1 min·Burke Centre Parkway
14
Turn left onto VA 123
0.2 mi·35 sec·Ox Road
15
Continue on VA 123
287 ft·15 sec·Ox Road
16
Arrive at destination
VA 123
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 14m duration, this route is easily completed in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak commuter traffic. With a short drive and minimal stops recommended, you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is about 54 miles on I 66; it's wise to top off before entering that section.
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 58.2 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfax Station, 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 116.5 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 54 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 110.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Elizabeth Street
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
Navigation decision point
5
54.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
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
109.1 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfield Herndon
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 55B-A
Toward VA 286: Fairfax County Parkway, Springfi...
8
110.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 286 South: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward VA 286 South: Springfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.22 one way
$36.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.92
$39.84
premium
$4.70
$21.56
$43.12
diesel
$5.61
$25.72
$51.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.23
$5.59
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.19
$4.66
EV Truck/SUV
46.6
0
$16.31
$7.46
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Morning
in Harrisonburg on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairfax Station, VA
Morning
in Fairfax Station on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
58 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
20 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 14m 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 16.1
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 108.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major interstates like I 81 and I 66. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 54 miles on I 66. This profile means you'll experience consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for the majority of the trip. While it's primarily interstate travel, the inclusion of Fairfax County Parkway at the end offers a slight shift in the road's character as you approach your destination.
97% 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: 54 mi on I 66.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.1 miles in near East Elizabeth Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 116.5 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 (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harrisonburg, VA and Fairfax Station, VA, road signs point toward Washington and Springfield Herndon.
Washington
54.8 mi in|~1h 1m
Springfield Herndon
109.1 mi in|~2h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 116.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54 miles on I 66. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Fairfax Station, 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 0.1 miles (East Elizabeth Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Fairfax Station, VA before heading back.
