Troutville Safety Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Leesburg, VA to Marion, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
304.9 mi
491 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Marion, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leesburg, VA to Marion, VA is 304.9 miles and takes about 5h 47m via I 81 and Leesburg Pike, with a fuel budget near $47 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 that predominantly utilizes major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit. You'll find this route to be efficient for covering distance with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.4 miles from Leesburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 268.1 mi | 4h 53m |
| Leesburg Pike | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| Harry Byrd Highway | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Berryville Pike | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| I 77 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Market Street | 1 mi | 3m |
| South Commerce Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| VA 7 BUS | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 268.1 mi, about 4h 53m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 263 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,707 veh/hr typical · worst 2,327
Quietest
2 AM
~250 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
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 Leesburg, VA and Marion, VA.
1
Start on VA 7 BUS
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Market Street
2
Take the ramp onto VA 7 BUS
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 7 West: Winchester
3
Merge onto VA 7
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Leesburg Pike
4
Continue on VA 7
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Harry Byrd Highway
5
Continue on VA 7
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Berryville Pike
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
7
Merge onto I 81
124 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
27 mi
·
28 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward VA 16: Marion
12
Keep slight right at fork
291 ft
·
8 sec
13
Turn straight onto VA 16
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commerce Street
14
Turn right onto Pendleton Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Pendleton Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; VA 16
381 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 47m estimated duration, departing Leesburg, VA in the morning allows ample time to reach Marion, VA before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a brief break or a meal. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure your tank is full before setting out, especially considering the longest stretch on I 81 is over 260 miles. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your pacing and can adjust your schedule as needed.
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 152.4 miles from Leesburg, VA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 268.1 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 67 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.4 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 304.9 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 81 for about 268.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152.4 miles from Leesburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 268.1 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.
Mount Sidney Safety Rest Area North
0 mi from route
Mount Sidney Safety Rest Area South
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Radford Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Iranto Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lancer Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Fairfield Safety Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area South
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area North
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Harrisonburg Travel Center
0.3 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 34.3 and 304.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
34.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
158.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
276.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
304 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
304.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
|
US 11; VA 16 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; VA 16 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.66 one way
$95.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.35 | $52.19 | $104.39 |
| premium | $4.72 | $56.66 | $113.32 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $75.34 | $150.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.5 | 1 | $32.01 | $14.64 |
| Efficient EV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.68 | $12.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122 | 1 | $42.69 | $19.51 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Leesburg, VA
Late night in Leesburg on Friday
Local time
5:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 5 to 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Marion, VA
Late night in Marion on Friday
Local time
5:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
45°F
Buena Vista, VA
152 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
3 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
5h 47m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 52.6
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 10.5
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 84.1
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 199.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 88% of the 304.9 miles on major roads like I 81. You'll encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted highway driving for 268.1 miles on I 81. Surface roads, including Leesburg Pike and Harry Byrd Highway, make up the remaining mileage, likely appearing towards the beginning and end of your trip. Expect frequent exits and entrances along the primary highway sections.
88% 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: 268.1 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Leesburg Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.3 miles in near I 81.
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 9 significant decision points across 304.9 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 34.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.7 miles (I 81; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,574 ft
339 ft
Total Climb
1,234 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,574 ft
~152.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,234 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Leesburg, VA
Full guide →Founded 1758
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.
Top landmarks
- • Loudoun County Courthouse — county courthouse in Virginia, United States of America
Arriving in Marion, VA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Marion Historic District (Marion, Virginia) — historic district in Virginia, United States
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 5h 47m. Total distance: 304.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 268.1 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Marion, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.7 miles (I 81; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marion, VA before the return drive.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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