Origin
Montclair, VA
Late night in Montclair on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montclair, VA to Harrisonburg, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
120.7 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montclair, VA
RITESH SINGH
Harrisonburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 120.7-mile drive from Montclair, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 86% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $19, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and focus on main roads, this route offers a straightforward transit between the Southeast regions of Virginia. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.4 miles from Montclair, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 52.5 mi | 56m |
| I 66 | 43.6 mi | 47m |
| Dumfries Road | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| Prince William Parkway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| East Market Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Waterway Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Fallstone Place | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Country Club Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 52.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montclair, VA and Harrisonburg, VA.
1
Start on Fallstone Place
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Fallstone Place
2
Turn right onto SR 1451
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Waterway Drive
3
Turn left onto SR 1450
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Country Club Drive
4
Turn right onto VA 234
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Dumfries Road
5
Continue on VA 234
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
8
Merge onto I 66
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 81
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 33 West: Harrisonburg
12
Turn straight onto US 33
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Market Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; US 33
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 23-minute drive, leaving Montclair, VA in the morning is a good bet to avoid potential traffic. With a total distance of 120.7 miles and a fuel cost of approximately $19, you likely won't need many stops, but it's always wise to stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted segment is 52.5 miles, so consider a brief break before or after that stretch. Since this is a straightforward drive focused on major highways like I-81, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you depart to minimize any unexpected delays. Keeping your fuel tank topped up before you leave Montclair will ensure you have plenty for the journey.
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 60.4 miles from Montclair, VA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.4 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 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisonburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montclair, 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 Montclair, VA
This is one driving day of about 120.7 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Montclair, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from Montclair, 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 21 and 120.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
21 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
5
22.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 66
Merge onto I 66
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
4
66.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
5
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
US 11; US 33 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; US 33 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.64 | $41.28 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.34 | $44.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.56 | $4.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night in Harrisonburg on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Petersburg, VA
60 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
11 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 23m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
Free
near mile 66.6
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$30
near mile 104.1
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!
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 25
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 120.7-mile journey, with 86% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 52.5 miles along I-81, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate using I-66 and I-81, supplemented by Dumfries Road for a portion. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and minimal scenic detours, ideal for covering ground efficiently. The road's personality is largely defined by its interstate nature, offering a predictable driving experience.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 120.7 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 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 81. 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 Harrisonburg, 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 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 66): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Harrisonburg, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Harrisonburg, VA
More trips to Harrisonburg, VA
Explore more options from Montclair, VA or browse trips ending in Harrisonburg, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.