How far is Danville, VA from Petersburg, VA?
The driving distance from Danville, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 226.7 miles (364.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.5 miles (284 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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 58m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Danville and Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville and Petersburg.
-
1
Start on South Ridge Street
127 m · 15 sec · South Ridge Street
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2
Turn left onto Patton Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Patton Street
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3
Turn slight right onto Justin Lane
1.3 km · 1 min · Justin Lane
-
4
Turn straight onto Richmond Boulevard
2975 ft · 59 sec · Richmond Boulevard
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5
Continue on Old Richmond Road
2497 ft · 50 sec · Old Richmond Road
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6
Turn left onto Franklin Turnpike
107 m · 12 sec · Franklin Turnpike
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1921 ft · 47 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Danville Expressway
12.4 mi · 15 min · Danville Expressway
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9
Continue straight
10.7 mi · 13 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North
34.7 mi · 43 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North, US 460 East
6.5 mi · 9 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
38.4 mi · 46 min
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13
Turn left onto River Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road
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14
Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway
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15
Turn left onto Afton Mountain Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Afton Mountain Road
2031 ft · 38 sec · Afton Mountain Road
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17
Turn left onto Rockfish Gap Turnpike
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike
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18
Continue on Three Notched Mountain Highway
1700 ft · 47 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway
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19
Turn left onto I-64
571 ft · 14 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I-64 West: Staunton
1043 ft · 25 sec
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21
Merge slight left
11.9 mi · 13 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
2481 ft · 47 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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25
Continue straight
12.7 mi · 14 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden
1328 ft · 35 sec
-
27
Turn right onto Apple Mountain Road
547 ft · 17 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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28
Turn left onto John Marshall Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · John Marshall Highway
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · John Marshall Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Danville and Petersburg.
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
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 01h 25m
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 Danville and Chance Rain Showers near Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Danville to Petersburg?
The road trip is about 226.7 miles (364.8 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.2 miles from Danville and 111.4 miles from Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.5 miles (284 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.2 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 9:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.69 one way or $63.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Danville and Chance Rain Showers near Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro
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 Waynesboro.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Danville and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 176.46 mi (283.99 km).
#1 Danville
The seat of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
| Population | 39,869 |
| Coordinates | 36.5859700, -79.3950200 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.69 | $63.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.43 | $70.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.22 | $76.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.99 | $89.98 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.