How far is Charlottesville, VA from Lake Ridge, VA?

The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Lake Ridge, VA is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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
96.51 mi
02h 24m
Flight
78.42 mi
126.21 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
78.42 mi
Kilometers
126.21 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.51 mi
Kilometers
155.32 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Ridge
Fri, May 1, 3:40 PM EDT
Return by in Charlottesville
Fri, May 1, 6:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlottesville
2026-05-01T13:15
Arrive Lake Ridge
Fri, May 1, 3:40 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:42 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
Spotsylvania Courthouse
VA

Census designated place

From Charlottesville
48.2 mi
01h 12m
To Lake Ridge
48.3 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph W
Destination
65°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Lake Ridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Lake Ridge.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    71 m · 19 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    75 m · 10 sec · East Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 9th Street Northeast

    666 ft · 31 sec · 9th Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on East High Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Long Street

    96 m · 8 sec · Long Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Richmond Road

    4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Louisa Road

    5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Gordonsville Road

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Gordon Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Gordon Avenue

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    14 m · 1 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    8.3 mi · 13 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Berry Hill Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Constitution Highway

    21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Germanna Highway

    698 ft · 11 sec · Germanna Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Plank Road

    12.7 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  16. 16

    Take the exit left toward I 95 North: Washington

    1.6 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 28 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 294: Woodbridge, Manassas

    1198 ft · 29 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 294 West: Manassas

    1314 ft · 32 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on VA 294 West: Manassas

    1231 ft · 30 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on Prince William Parkway

    2016 ft · 38 sec · Prince William Parkway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 849: Caton Hill Road

    1336 ft · 41 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Telegraph Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Telegraph Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Minnieville Road

    1 km · 1 min · Minnieville Road

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Old Bridge Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Old Bridge Road

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Antietam Road

    1958 ft · 55 sec · Antietam Road

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Woodfern Court

    138 m · 20 sec · Woodfern Court

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Woodfern Court

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and Lake Ridge.

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
30 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
28.1 mi · 29%
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 22%
Plank Road
12.7 mi · 13%
Gordon Avenue
9.73 mi · 10%
Gordonsville Road
8.17 mi · 8%
Louisa Road
5.33 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Merge slight left

24 mi · 00h 28m

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
02h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
78.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Spotsylvania Courthouse
01h 12m from Charlottesville
Leave By
1:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake Ridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Lake Ridge?

The road trip is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Spotsylvania Courthouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.2 miles from Charlottesville and 48.3 miles from Lake Ridge.

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

The direct path is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 1:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.51 one way or $27.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake Ridge.

Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Spotsylvania Courthouse, 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 Spotsylvania Courthouse.

RAIL

Fredericksburg

16 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Quantico

44 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

47 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Ashland

50 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Lake Ridge. Straight-line distance: 78.42 mi (126.21 km).

Charlottesville

#1 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Lake Ridge

#2 Lake Ridge

Census designated place

Population41,058
Coordinates38.6878900, -77.2977600
Altitude85
CountryUnited States
Start: Charlottesville (-78.47668, 38.02931)
End: Lake Ridge (-77.29776, 38.68789)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 155 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.41 gal
12.89 L · about $13.51
Round trip
$27.01
6.82 gal · 25.78 L
Estimated CO2
30.3 kg one way
Round trip: 60.6 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $13.51 $27.01
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.10 $30.21
Premium $4.78 $16.29 $32.59
Diesel $5.62 $19.18 $38.36

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlottesville and Lake Ridge. The current time is 13:15:59.

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.