How far is Charlottesville, VA from Front Royal, VA?

The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Front Royal, VA is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
74.05 mi
01h 52m
Flight
63.28 mi
101.84 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlottesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
63.28 mi
Kilometers
101.84 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.05 mi
Kilometers
119.17 km
Drive Time
01h 52m

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 01h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Front Royal
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM EDT
Return by in Charlottesville
Thu, Apr 23, 5:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlottesville
2026-04-23T02:13
Arrive Front Royal
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlottesville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Madison
VA

City in Madison County, Florida, United States

From Charlottesville
37 mi
00h 56m
To Front Royal
37 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Front Royal.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Front Royal.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    71 m · 23 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Market Street

    55 m · 10 sec · East Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast

    587 ft · 31 sec · 7th Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East High Street

    96 m · 15 sec · East High Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Park Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Park Street

  6. 6

    Turn left

    77 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight toward US 250 West

    43 m · 4 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto U.S. 250 Bypass

    1.5 mi · 3 min · U.S. 250 Bypass

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Hydraulic Road

    1341 ft · 34 sec · Hydraulic Road

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hydraulic Road

    29 m · 3 sec · Hydraulic Road

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Hydraulic Road

    865 ft · 23 sec · Hydraulic Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Seminole Trail

    24.7 mi · 37 min · Seminole Trail

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto South Main Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto North Blue Ridge Turnpike

    5.4 mi · 8 min · North Blue Ridge Turnpike

  15. 15

    Continue on South F T Valley Road

    7.1 mi · 11 min · South F T Valley Road

  16. 16

    Continue on F.T. Valley Road

    8.2 mi · 11 min · F.T. Valley Road

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Sperryville Pike

    1.1 km · 1 min · Sperryville Pike

  18. 18

    Continue on Sperryville Pike

    543 ft · 21 sec · Sperryville Pike

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lee Highway

    8.1 mi · 11 min · Lee Highway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Zachary Taylor Highway

    10.1 mi · 15 min · Zachary Taylor Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Remount Road

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Remount Road

  22. 22

    Continue on South Commerce Avenue

    2066 ft · 55 sec · South Commerce Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East Stonewall Drive

    154 m · 16 sec · East Stonewall Drive

  24. 24

    Turn slight right onto East Jackson Street

    1752 ft · 55 sec · East Jackson Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South Royal Avenue

    125 m · 20 sec · South Royal Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    79 m · 14 sec · West Main Street

  27. 27

    Turn left

    9 m · 2 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and Front Royal.

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
28 steps
19 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seminole Trail
24.7 mi · 33%
Zachary Taylor Highway
10.1 mi · 14%
F.T. Valley Road
8.17 mi · 11%
Lee Highway
8.07 mi · 11%
South F T Valley Road
7.09 mi · 10%
North Blue Ridge Turnpike
5.38 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Seminole Trail

Turn right onto Seminole Trail

24.7 mi · 00h 37m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
63.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Madison
00h 56m from Charlottesville
Leave By
2:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Charlottesville and Sunny near Front Royal.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Front Royal?

The road trip is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?

Madison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37 miles from Charlottesville and 37 miles from Front Royal.

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

The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 2:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.34 one way or $20.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charlottesville and Sunny near Front Royal.

Stop Ideas Near Madison

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Madison, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Madison.

RAIL

Culpeper station

25 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

44 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Fredericksburg

70 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Staunton station

76 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Front Royal. Straight-line distance: 63.28 mi (101.84 km).

Charlottesville

#1 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Front Royal

#2 Front Royal

Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States

Population15,389
Coordinates38.9181700, -78.1944400
Altitude173
CountryUnited States
Start: Charlottesville (-78.47668, 38.02931)
End: Front Royal (-78.19444, 38.91817)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.61 gal
9.89 L · about $10.34
Round trip
$20.68
5.22 gal · 19.78 L
Estimated CO2
23.2 kg one way
Round trip: 46.4 kg / 102 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.34 $20.68
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.56 $23.12
Premium $4.78 $12.47 $24.94
Diesel $5.62 $14.68 $29.36

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlottesville and Front Royal. The current time is 02:13:05.

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.