How far is Bristol, VA from Colonial Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Bristol, VA to Colonial Heights, VA is about 6 miles (9.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 4.5 miles (7.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
5.98 mi
00h 09m
Flight
4.55 mi
7.33 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bristol.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
4.55 mi
Kilometers
7.33 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
5.98 mi
Kilometers
9.63 km
Drive Time
00h 09m

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 00h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 10:48 PM EDT
Return by in Bristol
Fri, Apr 24, 10:57 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bristol
2026-04-24T22:39
Arrive Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 10:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:09 AM to 7:09 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Bristol
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Abingdon
VA

City in Virginia, USA

From Bristol
3 mi
00h 04m
To Colonial Heights
3 mi
00h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
77°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 12:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Colonial Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Colonial Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Sullins Street

    23 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Commonwealth Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Roanoke

    1959 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road

    1762 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Old Airport Road

    965 ft · 24 sec · Old Airport Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Lee Highway

    154 m · 12 sec · Lee Highway

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Colonial Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
150 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
3.14 mi · 53%
Commonwealth Avenue
2.21 mi · 37%
Old Airport Road
0.52 mi · 9%
Lee Highway
0.1 mi · 2%
Sullins Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Merge slight left

2.77 mi · 00h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 09m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.5 mi
4.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Abingdon
00h 04m from Bristol
Leave By
8:12 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bristol and Sunny near Colonial Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Colonial Heights?

The road trip is about 6 miles (9.6 km) and usually takes 00h 09m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Abingdon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3 miles from Bristol and 3 miles from Colonial Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 4.5 miles (7.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.83 one way or $1.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bristol and Sunny near Colonial Heights.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Colonial Heights. Straight-line distance: 4.55 mi (7.33 km).

Bristol

#1 Bristol

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population17,329
Coordinates36.5964900, -82.1884700
Altitude512
CountryUnited States
Colonial Heights

#2 Colonial Heights

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population17,205
Coordinates36.6334400, -82.1204100
Altitude546
CountryUnited States
Start: Sullins Street (-82.188465, 36.596675)
End: Lee Highway (-82.120486, 36.633488)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 10 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.21 gal
0.8 L · about $0.83
Round trip
$1.66
0.42 gal · 1.6 L
Estimated CO2
1.9 kg one way
Round trip: 3.7 kg / 8 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $0.83 $1.66
Mid-grade $4.43 $0.93 $1.86
Premium $4.78 $1.00 $2.01
Diesel $5.62 $1.18 $2.36

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

There is no time difference between Bristol and Colonial Heights. The current time is 22:39:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.