How far is Bristol, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Bristol, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.7 miles (364.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on Sullins Street
23 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street
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2
Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Commonwealth Avenue
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3
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Roanoke
1959 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
70 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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6
Continue straight
7.1 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
139.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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8
Continue straight
1353 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
32.6 mi · 36 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 631: Charlottesville
1079 ft · 28 sec
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11
Turn left onto 5th Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · 5th Street
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12
Continue on Ridge Street
2100 ft · 1 min · Ridge Street
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13
Turn slight right onto Water Street West
787 ft · 32 sec · Water Street West
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14
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
567 ft · 29 sec · 2nd Street Southwest
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15
Turn right onto West Market Street
1620 ft · 59 sec · West Market Street
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16
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Charlottesville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
140 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Bristol and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km) and usually takes 03h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shawsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.5 miles from Bristol and 128.9 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.7 miles (364.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.85 one way or $71.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bristol and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Charlottesville.
Stop Ideas Near Shawsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shawsville.
Blacksburg, VA
Roanoke
White Sulphur Springs
Alderson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 226.7 mi (364.84 km).
#1 Bristol
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 17,329 |
| Coordinates | 36.5964900, -82.1884700 |
| Altitude | 512 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $35.85 | $71.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.08 | $80.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.24 | $86.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $50.90 | $101.79 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · Apr 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.