Petersburg, VA to Danville, VA is 231.3 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 81 and US 29, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Virginia. It's a highway-focused trip that should feel straightforward and efficient for most drivers. Given its manageable length and single recommended day, it's a good option for a quick transition between these two points without requiring an overnight stay.
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
115.7 miles from Petersburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
78.2 mi
1h 25m
Wards Road
30.7 mi
38m
US 29
28.6 mi
35m
Thomas Nelson Highway
16 mi
20m
I 66
12.6 mi
13m
Monacan Parkway
12 mi
12m
I 64
11.9 mi
12m
North Amherst Highway
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, VA and Danville, VA.
1
Start on VA 55
2.6 mi·4 min·John Marshall Highway
2
Turn right onto VA 79
0.2 mi·28 sec·Apple Mountain Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
4
Merge onto I 66
13 mi·13 min·I 66
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 81 South: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 81
78 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
8
Merge onto I 64
12 mi·12 min·I 64
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
10
Keep slight right at fork
298 ft·11 sec
11
Turn straight onto US 250
0.3 mi·37 sec·Three Notched Mountain Highway
12
Continue on US 250
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockfish Gap Turnpike
13
Turn right onto VA 6
3.7 mi·5 min·Afton Mountain Road
14
Turn right onto VA 6; VA 151
6.2 mi·9 min·Rockfish Valley Highway
15
Turn left onto VA 6
5.8 mi·7 min·River Road
16
Turn right onto US 29
16 mi·20 min·Thomas Nelson Highway
17
Continue on US 29
9.4 mi·11 min·North Amherst Highway
18
Continue on US 29
12 mi·12 min·Monacan Parkway
Toward US 29 South: Lynchburg, Danville
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
20
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi·8 min·Richmond Highway
21
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 29
Toward US 29 South
22
Merge onto US 29
31 mi·38 min·Wards Road
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
15 mi·18 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the left lane.
24
Continue on US 29
13 mi·15 min·US 29
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 41: Halifax
26
Turn straight onto VA 41
0.2 mi·25 sec·Franklin Turnpike
27
At end of road, turn right onto VA 360
0.5 mi·49 sec·Old Richmond Road
28
Continue on VA 360
0.6 mi·59 sec·Richmond Boulevard
29
Continue on VA 360
0.8 mi·1 min·Justin Lane
30
Turn straight onto VA 293; VA 360
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
31
Continue on VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
32
Turn left onto VA 293
105 ft·2 sec·South Ridge Street
33
Arrive at destination
VA 293
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 5 hours, this trip is easily achievable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and potentially avoid any mid-day traffic. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 78.2 miles on I 81, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. There's one recommended stop, which should be sufficient for a break on this 231.3-mile journey.
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 115.7 miles from Petersburg, VA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 13m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 231.3 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Petersburg, 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 78.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 200.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
8
15.7 mi into trip|~19m 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
5
107 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
6
162 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Dan...
7
200.1 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 29 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.17 one way
$72.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.55
$79.10
premium
$4.70
$42.81
$85.62
diesel
$5.61
$51.07
$102.14
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Rockfish Gap Turnpike
(1.2 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.29
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.38
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Petersburg, VA
Morning
in Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Danville, VA
Morning
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
7:34 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
26 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
4h 39m 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...
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 159.5
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 55.8
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 191.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a significant highway presence, with 63% of the drive on major roads like I 81 and US 29. You'll experience a highway-focused character for much of the journey, including a substantial stretch of 78.2 miles on I 81 without needing to exit. While primarily on faster roads, there are moments where the route transitions to roads like Wards Road, offering a slight change in pace. Expect a generally efficient drive with good connectivity for most of the 231.3 miles.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.2 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Wards Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 231.3 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 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Petersburg, VA to Danville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Waynesboro along the way.
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793 , Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 231.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.2 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Rockfish Gap Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Danville, 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 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Shenandoah National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Danville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
