Leesburg, VA to Emporia, VA is 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Dulles Greenway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route offers a mixed highway and surface road experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect a relatively quick transit between these two points in the Old Dominion.
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
98.3 miles from Leesburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
107 mi
1h 58m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.2 mi
45m
Dulles Greenway
11.6 mi
13m
Ox Road
8.7 mi
12m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
Sully Road
4.6 mi
6m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
North Main Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 107 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,996 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,634
Quietest
2 AM
~320 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Leesburg, VA and Emporia, VA.
1
Start on VA 7 BUS
226 ft·15 sec·East Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 15 BUS
1.1 mi·3 min·South King Street
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg BypassUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 15; VA 7
0.3 mi·25 sec·Leesburg Bypass
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on VA 267
12 mi·13 min·Dulles Greenway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 9AToward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, CentrevilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 South: CentrevilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto VA 28
4.6 mi·6 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
18
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
21
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Merge onto I 295
42 mi·45 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 95
32 mi·34 min·I 95
Toward I 95 South: Emporia, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward VA 614
27
Turn left onto SR 614
0.3 mi·35 sec·Otterdam Road
28
Turn right onto US 301
1.5 mi·2 min·Sussex Drive
29
Continue on US 301
1.9 mi·3 min·North Main Street
30
Turn left onto Hicksford Avenue
87 ft·2 sec·Hicksford Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Hicksford Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 56-minute drive, leaving Leesburg in the morning is ideal to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $33, you have flexibility. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 100 miles on I 95, so plan your refueling accordingly before you get too low. Keep an eye out for the shift from highway to surface roads; this often means more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you approach Emporia.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.3 miles from Leesburg, VA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 43 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Emporia, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Leesburg, 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 95 for about 107 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 116 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg Bypass
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Lees...
8
13.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
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 9A
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
8
19.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
19.8 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
116 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.25 one way
$62.51 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$34.08
$68.16
premium
$4.78
$36.97
$73.94
diesel
$5.35
$41.39
$82.78
Estimated Tolls: $2.91
Dulles Greenway
(11.6 mi)$2.91
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
$31
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59
0
$20.63
$9.43
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of May 25, 2026
Origin
Leesburg, VA
Evening
in Leesburg on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog
SE 5 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 8:04PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:57PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Emporia, VA
Evening
in Emporia on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Fredericksburg, VA
98 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
3h 56m 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.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (McLean, Virginia)
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 162.6
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this 196.5-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter a 107-mile stretch on I 95, which means a significant portion of your travel will be at higher speeds. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur around mile 118, introducing a different driving pace. Be prepared for a mix of efficient highway cruising and potentially more varied traffic patterns as you move onto secondary routes.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 196.5 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 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
391 ft73 ft
Total Climb
381 ft
Total Descent
604 ft
Highest Point
391 ft
~28.1 mi in
Elevation Range
318 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leesburg, VA and Emporia, VA, road signs point toward Centreville, Fairfax, Norfolk, Va Beach and Rocky Mount.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 196.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.91 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.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Emporia, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Petersburg National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Emporia, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
