Origin
Newington, VA
Morning in Newington on Tuesday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newington, VA to West Lynchburg, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
168.9 mi
272 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newington, VA
Wikimedia Commons
West Lynchburg, VA
Kelly
Trip Overview
Newington, VA to West Lynchburg, VA is 168.9 miles and takes about 3h 49m via US 29 and Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mixed-highway experience with a significant portion on surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a manageable trip for most drivers.
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
84.5 miles from Newington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 29 | 57.9 mi | 1h 10m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 32.5 mi | 38m |
| Constitution Highway | 21.6 mi | 30m |
| Plank Road | 12.5 mi | 18m |
| Gordonsville Road | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| James Madison Highway | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| I 64 | 6 mi | 6m |
| Louisa Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 57.9 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newington, VA and West Lynchburg, VA.
1
Start on this road
139 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
89 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn left onto SR 877
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Newington Road
4
Turn left onto SR 877
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Loisdale Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto VA 286
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Fairfax County Parkway
6
Take the exit
482 ft
·
16 sec
Toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, Richmond
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
12
Merge onto VA 3
12 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
498 ft
·
15 sec
14
Merge onto VA 20
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Constitution Highway
15
Continue on VA 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Berry Hill Road
16
Turn left onto US 15
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Caroline Street
17
Continue on US 15
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
James Madison Highway
18
Continue on US 15
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Gordon Avenue
19
Enter roundabout onto VA 231
121 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Gordon Avenue
20
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Gordon Avenue
21
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Gordonsville Road
22
Continue on VA 22
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Louisa Road
23
Turn straight onto US 250
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 64 West
25
Merge onto I 64
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 64
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 29 South
27
Merge onto US 29
58 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 29
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward VA 210 West: Downtown Lynchburg
29
Turn right onto VA 210
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Town Connector
30
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Use the left lane.
31
Merge onto US 29 BUS
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Amherst Highway
32
Continue on US 29 BUS
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lynchburg Expressway
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Business
Use the right lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork
193 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Business
35
Turn straight onto US 221; US 460 BUS; US 501 BUS
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Kemper Street
36
Continue on Park Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Park Avenue
37
Enter roundabout onto Park Avenue
104 ft
·
5 sec
·
Park Avenue
38
Continue on Park Avenue
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Park Avenue
39
Continue on Lakeside Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeside Drive
Use the straight lane.
40
Arrive at destination
Lakeside Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1-day drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the 3h 49m estimated travel time and any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, especially around the 57.9-mile stretch on US 29, as this may involve more local traffic and lower speed limits.
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 84.5 miles from Newington, VA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.9 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Lynchburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newington, 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 Newington, VA
This is one driving day of about 168.9 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Newington, 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 US 29 for about 57.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.5 miles from Newington, 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 265 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 167.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 617, I 95 South: Backlick Road, Richm...
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
7
37.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
7
167 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Bu...
7
167.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 221 South, US 460 Business, US 501 Bu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.41 one way
$52.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.88 | $57.76 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.29 | $74.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.73 | $8.11 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.78 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.65 | $10.81 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
West Lynchburg, VA
Morning in West Lynchburg on Tuesday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
9 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
3h 49m 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?
About 41% of this route is on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 57.9 miles on US 29, likely transitioning from highway cruising to more surface road driving. Be prepared for frequent exits and potential traffic as you navigate through populated areas before reaching more open stretches. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect a variety of driving conditions.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.9 mi on US 29.
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 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 168.9 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 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 168.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.9 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 West Lynchburg, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at West Lynchburg, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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