How far is Charlottesville, VA from Dale City, VA?
The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Dale City, VA is about 91.8 miles (147.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 75.9 miles (122.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Incorporated town located in southwestern Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Dale City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Dale City.
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1
Start on the route
71 m · 19 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Market Street
75 m · 10 sec · East Market Street
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3
Turn left onto 9th Street Northeast
666 ft · 31 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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4
Continue on East High Street
1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street
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5
Turn right onto Long Street
96 m · 8 sec · Long Street
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6
Continue on Richmond Road
4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Road
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7
Turn left onto Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
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8
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
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9
Continue on Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Gordon Avenue
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
14 m · 1 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
8.3 mi · 13 min
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12
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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13
Continue on Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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14
Turn right onto Germanna Highway
698 ft · 11 sec · Germanna Highway
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15
Continue on Plank Road
12.7 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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16
Take the exit left toward I 95 North: Washington
1.6 mi · 4 min
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17
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left
21.8 mi · 25 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward SR 784: Dale City, Rippon Landing
1453 ft · 35 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on SR 784 West: Dale City, Potomac Mills, Stratford University
1620 ft · 40 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on SR 784 West: Dale City
1682 ft · 47 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Dale Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Dale Boulevard
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24
Turn right onto Birchdale Avenue
3155 ft · 2 min · Birchdale Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Bayfield Drive
13 m · 2 sec · Bayfield Drive
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bayfield Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and Dale City.
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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
21.8 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlottesville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dale City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Dale City?
The road trip is about 91.8 miles (147.8 km) and usually takes 02h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.9 miles from Charlottesville and 46 miles from Dale City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 75.9 miles (122.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.83 one way or $25.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlottesville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dale City.
Stop Ideas Near Clifton
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 Clifton.
Culpeper station
Charlottesville Union Station
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Dale City. Straight-line distance: 75.86 mi (122.08 km).
#1 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dale City
Census designated place
| Population | 65,969 |
| Coordinates | 38.6370600, -77.3110900 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dale City (-77.31109, 38.63706)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 148 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.83 | $25.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.35 | $28.70 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.48 | $30.96 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $18.22 | $36.44 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.