Williamsburg, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is 180.8 miles and takes about 3h 25m via I 64, I 81, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving you from the Southeast region to a slightly different part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfect for a single day of travel. You'll find it’s a practical option for getting between these two points without a lot of fuss.
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
90.4 miles from Williamsburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
126.7 mi
2h 17m
I 81
23.7 mi
26m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
North Henry Street
2 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
3m
Port Republic Road
0.6 mi
1m
Capitol Landing Road
0.6 mi
1m
North Boundary Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, VA and Harrisonburg, 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
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
15
Merge onto I 81
24 mi·26 min·I 81
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 253: Harrisonburg
17
Turn left onto VA 253
0.6 mi·1 min·Port Republic Road
18
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi·3 min·South Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 33
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 25 minute estimated drive time, departing Williamsburg in the morning will comfortably get you to Harrisonburg before evening. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 120 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the 126.7-mile segment on I 64, as finding services can sometimes be more spread out on longer highway portions. The $28 fuel cost suggests planning your fill-up accordingly.
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 90.4 miles from Williamsburg, VA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.4 miles or 1h 42m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisonburg, 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 180.8 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Williamsburg, 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 64 for about 126.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 64.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Scotland Street
Turn right onto Scotland Street
Navigation decision point
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.27 one way
$56.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.91
$61.83
premium
$4.70
$33.46
$66.92
diesel
$5.61
$39.92
$79.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.98
$8.68
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.82
$7.23
EV Truck/SUV
72.3
0
$25.31
$11.57
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
Williamsburg, VA
Late night
in Williamsburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harrisonburg, VA
Late night
in Harrisonburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
7 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 25m 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
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$30
near mile 180.8
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 83% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 126.7 miles on I 64, which provides a consistent pace for a large portion of your journey. The drive transitions to I 81, and finally the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a mix of interstate speeds. Expect a generally efficient travel experience with minimal interruptions, making it easy to maintain momentum.
83% 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: 126.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Scotland Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 180.8 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 0.2 miles (Scotland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Williamsburg, VA and Harrisonburg, VA, road signs point toward Rocky Mount and Winchester.
Williamsburg is a city in southeast Virginia. Settled in 1632, it was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1779 and in 1926, John D. Rockefeller Jr commissioned a restoration project to bring Williamsburg back to its former colonial glory. During this period, 700 modern homes were demolished, colonial buildings were renovated, and more than 400 buildings were reconstructed on their original foundations. Today, the Colonial Williamsburg district in the center of town is a popular tourist center and people visit in droves to immerse themselves in the nation's colonial history.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 180.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on I 64. 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 Harrisonburg, 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 0.2 miles (Scotland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Harrisonburg, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
