Origin
Petersburg, VA
Late night in Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
46.9 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Petersburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 46.9-mile drive from Petersburg, VA to Leesburg, VA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 66, James Monroe Highway, and James Madison Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience suitable for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, it's an economical option for a quick journey. The drive traverses within the Southeast region of the US, providing a consistent feel throughout. This is a convenient option if you're looking for a short, efficient trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 66 | 21 mi | 22m |
| James Monroe Highway | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| James Madison Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| John Marshall Highway | 3 mi | 5m |
| South King Street | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Leeds Manor Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 66
— 21 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, VA and Leesburg, VA.
1
Start on VA 55
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John Marshall Highway
2
Turn left onto SR 688
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leeds Manor Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Washington
4
Merge onto I 66
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 66
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
6
Keep slight left at fork
350 ft
·
10 sec
Toward US 15 North: Leesburg
Use the left / right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 15
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
James Madison Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
James Monroe Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft
·
1 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
10
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft
·
2 sec
·
James Monroe Highway
12
Continue on US 15
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
James Monroe Highway
13
Continue on US 15
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South King Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto VA 7 BUS
226 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Market Street
15
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 23.4 miles from Petersburg, 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 3.1 and 35.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward Washington
Navigation decision point
Toward Washington
5
24.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
8
24.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 North: Leesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 15 North: Leesburg
5
24.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 15 / James Madison Highway
Merge onto US 15 / James Madison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
35.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 15 / James Monroe Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.33 one way
$14.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.68 | $17.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 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 | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
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
Leesburg, VA
Late night in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 to 14 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
56°F
Gainesville, VA
23 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
36 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
1h 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this 46.9-mile drive is best described as a mixed bag, with 45% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 21 miles on I 66, offering a chance to pick up speed. Beyond the interstate, the route transitions to highways like James Monroe Highway and James Madison Highway, which may offer a different pace. Expect a varied driving experience that shifts between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you progress toward Leesburg.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21 mi on I 66.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 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 46.9 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 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Leesburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
3.1 mi in
|
~5m
About the Cities
Arriving in Leesburg, VA
Full guide →Leesburg is in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the War of 1812, Leesburg was used as a temporary capital of the United States when the British occupied Washington.
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 1h 4m. Total distance: 46.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21 miles on I 66. 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 Leesburg, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. 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 Leesburg, 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.
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