Merrifield, VA to Charlottesville, VA is 104.2 miles and takes about 2h 26m via North Seminole Trail and James Madison Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The majority of this drive is on surface roads, so expect to navigate local traffic and intersections rather than high-speed cruising. It’s a straightforward trip that allows for flexibility if you decide to leave later in the day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.1 miles from Merrifield, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi
47m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
I 66
18.3 mi
22m
Lee Highway
10.6 mi
15m
James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi
3m
Route 29
2 mi
4m
U.S. 250 Bypass
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
North Seminole Trail
— 33.8 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrifield, VA and Charlottesville, VA.
1
Start on SR 650
93 ft·4 sec·Gallows Road
2
Turn left onto US 29; VA 237
2.0 mi·4 min·Route 29
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto VA 243
0.3 mi·38 sec·Nutley Street
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 243
0.3 mi·35 sec·Nutley Street
5
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 66 West
7
Merge onto I 66
18 mi·22 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 43AToward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 29
11 mi·15 min·Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
12
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi·23 min·James Madison Highway
15
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 29
34 mi·47 min·North Seminole Trail
17
Turn left onto SR 743
0.2 mi·31 sec·Hydraulic Road
Use the left lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto SR 743
96 ft·2 sec·Hydraulic Road
19
Continue on SR 743
0.2 mi·32 sec·Hydraulic Road
20
Turn left onto US 250
1.5 mi·2 min·U.S. 250 Bypass
21
Take the exit
482 ft·20 sec
Toward Park Street
22
Turn right onto Park Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Street
23
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
315 ft·12 sec·East High Street
24
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
0.2 mi·43 sec·7th Street Northeast
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over 2 hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever works best for you. Leaving Merrifield in the morning will get you to Charlottesville with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $16, and while there are no specific stops noted, it’s always wise to top off before heading out, especially since the longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 33.8 miles. You won’t need to split this drive, but be aware of potential local traffic delays as you get closer to Charlottesville.
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 52.1 miles from Merrifield, VA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.1 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlottesville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, VA
This is one driving day of about 104.2 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Merrifield, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North Seminole Trail for about 33.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 33.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|VA 243 / Nutley Street
Turn right onto VA 243 / Nutley Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|VA 243 / Nutley Street
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 243 / Nutley Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
21.7 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43A
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
8
22.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
6
33.2 mi into trip|~47m in|US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.29 one way
$32.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.82
$35.63
premium
$4.70
$19.29
$38.57
diesel
$5.61
$23.01
$46.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tyson's Corner Center - Tesla Supercharger
Tysons, VA
Tesla
20 DCFC
Idylwood Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Falls Church, VA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Yorktowne Center
Falls Church, VA
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Safeway Mclean #1920
McLean, VA
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Westin Tysons Corner
Falls Church, VA
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
Barcroft Plaza
Falls Church, VA
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
Eden Center
Falls Church, VA
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
The Shops at Southgate
Falls Church, VA
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
eVgo Network: 8
Tesla: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.3
0
$10.94
$5.00
Efficient EV
26.1
0
$9.12
$4.17
EV Truck/SUV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Merrifield, VA
Late night
in Merrifield on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charlottesville, VA
Late night
in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 26m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$30
near mile 75.4
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 10.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With only a 21% highway share, most of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll encounter a 33.8-mile stretch on North Seminole Trail, which likely means consistent local traffic and traffic lights. Expect to transition from local roads to Interstate 66 for a portion of the drive before returning to surface streets for the remainder of the trip. The profile indicates mostly surface roads, so plan for a driving experience with more frequent stops and slower speeds.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on North Seminole Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near VA 243 / Nutley Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 104.2 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 2 miles (VA 243 / Nutley Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (VA 243 / Nutley Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Merrifield, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.
Warrenton
21.7 mi in|~29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 104.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on North Seminole Trail. 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 Charlottesville, 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 2 miles (VA 243 / Nutley Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (VA 243 / Nutley Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charlottesville, VA before heading back.
