Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Harrisonburg, VA to Rose Hill, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
131.6 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrisonburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Rose Hill, VA
Jill Burrow
Trip Overview
The drive from Harrisonburg, VA to Rose Hill, VA covers 131.6 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 66, I 81, Capital Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.1 miles on I 66. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.8 miles from Harrisonburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 64.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 81 | 52.8 mi | 56m |
| Capital Beltway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| East Market Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Franconia Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Van Dorn Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Elizabeth Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Mason Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 64.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,591 veh/hr typical · worst 2,168
Quietest
2 AM
~240 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg, VA and Rose Hill, 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 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 495
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 173
Toward SR 613: Franconia
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto SR 613
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Van Dorn Street
Use the left / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto SR 644
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Franconia Road
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
SR 644
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.8 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, or about 1h 14m 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rose Hill, 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 131.6 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Harrisonburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Harrisonburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 66 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Manassas Safety/Rest Area West
0.1 mi from route
Manassas Safety/Rest Area East
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 129.1 — 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
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
7
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward SR 613: Franconia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 173
Toward SR 613: Franconia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.16 one way
$40.33 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $22.13 | $44.26 |
| premium | $4.64 | $24.02 | $48.05 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night in Harrisonburg on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rose Hill, VA
Late night in Rose Hill on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Petersburg, VA
66 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
29 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 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
131.6 mi in 2h 32m, mostly highway — 64.1 mi of that is on I 66.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
7/10
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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 131.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,324 ft
174 ft
Total Climb
297 ft
Total Descent
1,388 ft
Highest Point
1,324 ft
Elevation Range
1,150 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Rose Hill, VA, road signs point toward Washington and Alexandria.
Washington
54.8 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Alexandria
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 14m
About the Cities
Starting in Harrisonburg, VA
Full guide →Founded 1779
Harrisonburg is a city of 52,000 people (2020) in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. The city is a major financial and retail center for eight counties in Virginia, and even draws people from parts of neighboring West Virginia. There is a traditionally strong agricultural base, but there has been tremendous growth in retail and industry sectors.
Top landmarks
- • Rockingham County Courthouse — courthouse in Virginia, United States
- • Newtown Cemetery — cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 131.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Rose Hill, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rose Hill, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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