Origin
Manassas, VA
Late night in Manassas on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manassas, VA to Front Royal, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58m
Distance
44.6 mi
72 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Fair
3 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manassas, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Front Royal, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to head west from Manassas to Front Royal, you are looking at a straightforward 44.6-mile journey. Clocking in at approximately 58 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget about $7 for fuel, keeping the trip quite affordable for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes Sudley Road, I-66 West, and VA-79 to transition between these two Southeast Virginia locations. Because the duration is under an hour, it serves as an excellent, low-stress connection if you are shifting from the suburban landscape of Manassas toward the more rural atmosphere of Front Royal.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 29.1 mi | 31m |
| VA 234 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| John Marshall Highway | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Sudley Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Grant Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Commerce Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Apple Mountain Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 29.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manassas, VA and Front Royal, VA.
1
Start on VA 234 BUS
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Avenue
2
Turn slight left onto VA 234 BUS
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Sudley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp onto VA 234
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
VA 234
Toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on I 66
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 13
Toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto VA 79
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Apple Mountain Road
7
Turn right onto VA 55
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
John Marshall Highway
8
Turn slight right
283 ft
·
10 sec
9
Turn straight onto US 522
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Commerce Avenue
10
Turn left onto East Stonewall Drive
506 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Stonewall Drive
11
Turn slight right onto East Jackson Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Jackson Street
12
Turn right onto US 340; VA 55
411 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Royal Avenue
13
Turn left onto West Main Street
260 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Turn left
30 ft
·
2 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from Manassas, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 44.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
VA 234
Take the ramp onto VA 234 toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 66 West, VA 234 South: Front Royal
8
38.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
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 13
Toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
4
38.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road
Turn left onto VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road
Navigation decision point
4
44.4 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 340; VA 55 / South Royal Avenue
Turn right onto US 340; VA 55 / South Royal Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
44.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.97 one way
$13.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.63 | $15.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.25 | $16.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.85 | $19.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.90 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Front Royal, VA
Late night in Front Royal on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Marshall, VA
22 mi in
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
8 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
58m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 44.6-mile path. While you will spend time on I-66 West, the overall character of the route is defined by its transition through local corridors like Sudley Road and VA-79. You should be prepared for frequent directional changes as you navigate off the main highway stretches. The driving experience is active and requires your attention, as it lacks long, uninterrupted highway segments. It is a functional drive that shifts from high-traffic suburban roads to the more localized, winding nature of the final approach into Front Royal.
76% 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: 29.1 mi on I 66.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 66 and VA 234. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near VA 234.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles (VA 234): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.7 miles (VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Manassas, VA
Full guide →Manassas is a small city in northern Virginia with a strong Civil War presence. The First and Second Battles of Bull Run were fought nearby.
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 58m. Total distance: 44.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.1 miles on I 66. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles (VA 234): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.7 miles (VA 79 / Apple Mountain Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Front Royal, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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