Origin
Staunton, VA
Morning in Staunton on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Staunton, VA to Leesburg, 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
2h 37m
Distance
129.4 mi
208 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Staunton, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Leesburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Staunton to Leesburg, expect a 129.5-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete. This route keeps you entirely within Virginia, moving you through the Southeast region. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of roughly $21 for the trip. Since there are no mandatory stops included in this route, you have the flexibility to power through or pull over whenever you see fit.
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
64.7 miles from Staunton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 89.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| Leesburg Pike | 15.4 mi | 20m |
| Harry Byrd Highway | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Berryville Pike | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Commerce Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Woodrow Wilson Parkway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| VA 7 BUS | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Greenville Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Staunton, VA and Leesburg, VA.
1
Start on this road
150 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 11 BUS; US 250
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Augusta Street
3
Turn left onto US 11 BUS; US 250
308 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Johnson Street
4
Continue on US 11 BUS; US 250
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Greenville Avenue
5
Continue on US 11; VA 254
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Commerce Road
6
Turn right onto VA 262
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Woodrow Wilson Parkway
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
8
Merge onto I 81
90 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 81
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward VA 7: Winchester, Berryville
10
Keep slight left at fork
311 ft
·
9 sec
11
Turn left onto VA 7
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Berryville Pike
12
Continue on VA 7
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Harry Byrd Highway
13
Continue on VA 7
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Leesburg Pike
14
Take the exit onto VA 7 BUS
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
VA 7 BUS
Toward VA 7 Business: Leesburg
Use the slight right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 10-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain a steady pace on these local roads. Because you are navigating turn-heavy surface streets rather than interstates, double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are ready for the frequent transitions between North Augusta Street and East Johnson Street. Keep your $21 fuel budget handy and consider filling up before you leave Staunton to avoid searching for stations along the more local segments. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on the road and arrive in Leesburg without the stress of a long-haul 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.7 miles from Staunton, VA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Staunton, 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 Staunton, VA
This is one driving day of about 129.4 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Staunton, 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 89.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.7 miles from Staunton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.7 miles.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street
Turn right onto US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 11 BUS; US 250 / East Johnson Street
Turn left onto US 11 BUS; US 250 / East Johnson Street
Navigation decision point
5
95.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward VA 7: Winchester, Berryville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 7: Winchester, Berryville
5
95.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
127.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
VA 7 BUS
Take the exit onto VA 7 BUS toward VA 7 Business: Leesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 7 Business: Leesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.24 one way
$40.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.13 | $44.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.95 | $47.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.57 | $57.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.59 | $6.21 |
| Efficient EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.32 | $5.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.12 | $8.28 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Leesburg, VA
Morning in Leesburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Edinburg, VA
65 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
1 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
2h 37m 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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
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!
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 129.4
View on nps.gov
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 120.5
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 44.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation over speed. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, requiring your full attention as you transition between North Augusta Street, East Johnson Street, and Greenville Avenue. You will find that the road demands a more active driving style compared to a typical highway cruise. Because the route relies on local connectors, the character of the drive remains consistent rather than transitioning into fast, open stretches. Expect a steady, hands-on experience behind the wheel for the duration of your 129.5-mile trek.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Leesburg Pike. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Staunton, VA to Leesburg, VA is easy. At 2h 37m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 11 BUS; US 250 / East Johnson Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.2 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.
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 Staunton, VA to Leesburg, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Berryville along the way.
Berryville
95.2 mi in
|
~1h 46m
About the Cities
Arriving in Leesburg, VA
Full guide →Founded 1758
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 2h 37m. Total distance: 129.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 11 BUS; US 250 / East Johnson Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). 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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