How far is Dumfries, VA from Charlottesville, VA?

The driving distance from Dumfries, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 87 miles (140 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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
86.97 mi
01h 50m
Flight
72.55 mi
116.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dumfries.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.55 mi
Kilometers
116.75 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.97 mi
Kilometers
139.96 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlottesville
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM EDT
Return by in Dumfries
Thu, Apr 23, 6:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dumfries
2026-04-23T02:24
Arrive Charlottesville
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dumfries
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
Clifton
VA

Incorporated town located in southwestern Fairfax County, Virginia, United States

From Dumfries
42.9 mi
00h 55m
To Charlottesville
44.1 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dumfries and Charlottesville.

  1. 1

    Start on Liberty Lane

    55 m · 10 sec · Liberty Lane

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Richmond Highway

    2900 ft · 1 min · Richmond Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Joplin Road

    3118 ft · 1 min · Joplin Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    2276 ft · 56 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    15.8 mi · 18 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper

    1560 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    534 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Plank Road

    12.5 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left

    152 m · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway

    21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Berry Hill Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Caroline Street

    1404 ft · 50 sec · Caroline Street

  15. 15

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    7.9 mi · 12 min · James Madison Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on East Gordon Avenue

    817 ft · 20 sec · East Gordon Avenue

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Gordon Avenue

    37 m · 1 sec · West Gordon Avenue

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto West Gordon Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Gordon Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Gordonsville Road

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Louisa Road

    5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Richmond Road

    4 mi · 7 min · Richmond Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Long Street

    126 m · 17 sec · Long Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East High Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 9th Street Northeast

    632 ft · 25 sec · 9th Street Northeast

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    130 m · 22 sec · East Market Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast

    87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 25%
Joplin Road
20.6 mi · 24%
Plank Road
12.6 mi · 14%
Gordonsville Road
8.17 mi · 9%
James Madison Highway
7.92 mi · 9%
Louisa Road
5.29 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Constitution Highway

Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway

21.6 mi · 00h 30m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
72.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
00h 55m from Dumfries
Leave By
2:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dumfries and Sunny near Charlottesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dumfries to Charlottesville?

The road trip is about 87 miles (140 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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 42.9 miles from Dumfries and 44.1 miles from Charlottesville.

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

The direct path is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.16 one way or $24.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dumfries and Sunny near Charlottesville.

Stop Ideas Near Clifton

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

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

RAIL

Culpeper station

21 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

49 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Fredericksburg

50 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Quantico

69 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dumfries and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 72.55 mi (116.75 km).

Dumfries

#1 Dumfries

Town in Scotland

Population6,106
Coordinates38.5676200, -77.3280400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Charlottesville

#2 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Start: Confederate Court (-77.327891, 38.567513)
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 140 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.07 gal
11.62 L · about $12.16
Round trip
$24.32
6.14 gal · 23.24 L
Estimated CO2
27.3 kg one way
Round trip: 54.6 kg / 120 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $12.16 $24.32
Mid-grade $4.43 $13.60 $27.19
Premium $4.78 $14.67 $29.34
Diesel $5.62 $17.27 $34.53

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 Dumfries and Charlottesville. The current time is 02:24:06.

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.