Traveling from Williamsburg to Charlottesville covers 122 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. This straightforward journey transitions you from the coastal Southeast region into the heart of Virginia. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a one-day excursion, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the transit. By utilizing I-64 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, you can navigate the state efficiently. This route offers a practical connection between two historically significant areas, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to move between regions without an exhausting multi-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61 miles from Williamsburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
92.2 mi
1h 39m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
North Henry Street
2 mi
3m
Monticello Avenue
1 mi
2m
Capitol Landing Road
0.6 mi
1m
VA 20
0.4 mi
1m
North Boundary Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Scotland Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, VA and Charlottesville, VA.
1
Start on VA 5
14 ft·1 sec·Jamestown Road
2
Turn left onto South Boundary Street
120 ft·4 sec·South Boundary Street
3
Continue on North Boundary Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Boundary Street
4
Turn right onto Scotland Street
474 ft·20 sec·Scotland Street
5
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132
2.0 mi·3 min·North Henry Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto VA 143
0.6 mi·1 min·Capitol Landing Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
8
Merge onto I 64
37 mi·39 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
55 mi·59 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville
15
Turn right onto VA 20
1.0 mi·2 min·Monticello Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto VA 20
0.4 mi·1 min·VA 20
17
Turn left onto US 250 BUS
458 ft·25 sec·East Market Street
18
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
286 ft·15 sec·7th Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of less than two and a half hours, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that estimated 2-hour and 19-minute travel time. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the journey in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Williamsburg to ensure you stay within your $20 budget. Planning your arrival for mid-day is a smart move if you want to avoid the potential congestion often found near major interstate interchanges. Above all, take advantage of the short duration to enjoy a leisurely morning before you head out on the I-64 corridor.
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 61 miles from Williamsburg, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 10m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlottesville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Williamsburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 92.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 40 and 121.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
40.5 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
6
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
7
121.9 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|7th Street Northeast
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.08 one way
$38.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.86
$41.72
premium
$4.70
$22.58
$45.16
diesel
$5.61
$26.94
$53.87
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: 42.7 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
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
EV Truck/SUV
48.8
0
$17.08
$7.81
Gas CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Williamsburg, VA
Late night
in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charlottesville, VA
Late night
in Charlottesville on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Ashland, VA
61 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
3 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 19m 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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 42.1
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 92.2 miles on I-64. While the initial leg involves navigating North Henry Street, the majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent cruising on high-speed roads. The character of the drive is consistent and functional rather than technical or winding. You will find that the lack of required stops allows for a steady, predictable pace, letting you focus on the transition from the low-lying eastern terrain toward the rolling landscape of Charlottesville.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 122 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 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Williamsburg, VA to Charlottesville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Rocky Mount
40 mi in|~46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 122 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.2 miles on I 64. 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 Charlottesville, 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 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. 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 Charlottesville, VA before heading back.
