How far is Fairfax, VA from Lynchburg, VA?

The driving distance from Fairfax, VA to Lynchburg, VA is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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
163.95 mi
03h 00m
Flight
140.54 mi
226.17 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.54 mi
Kilometers
226.17 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.95 mi
Kilometers
263.85 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lynchburg
Tue, May 12, 11:59 PM EDT
Return by in Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 2:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfax
2026-05-12T20:59
Arrive Lynchburg
Tue, May 12, 11:59 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairfax
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
Stanardsville
VA

Town in Virginia

From Fairfax
81.8 mi
01h 30m
To Lynchburg
82.2 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
73°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfax and Lynchburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax and Lynchburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Fairfax Boulevard

    3046 ft · 1 min · Fairfax Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Route 50

    1.3 km · 1 min · Route 50

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Front Royal

    2738 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    1345 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    14.2 mi · 16 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

    953 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Lee Highway

    10.6 mi · 16 min · Lee Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South

    2786 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Bypass

  12. 12

    Continue on James Madison Highway

    5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway

    18.2 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on James Monroe Highway

    7.8 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on North Seminole Trail

    33.8 mi · 48 min · North Seminole Trail

  16. 16

    Continue on Emmet Street North

    1783 ft · 42 sec · Emmet Street North

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West

    61.9 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 210 West: Downtown Lynchburg

    1096 ft · 31 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Old Town Connector

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Old Town Connector

  20. 20

    Turn left

    1357 ft · 33 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Amherst Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Amherst Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Lynchburg Expressway

    1123 ft · 17 sec · Lynchburg Expressway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Riverfront

    151 m · 28 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on Downtown, Riverfront

    36 m · 10 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Main Street

    11 m · 5 sec · Main Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Pearl Street

    103 m · 8 sec · Pearl Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Church Street

    2001 ft · 1 min · Church Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    30 m · 4 sec · 10th Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfax and Lynchburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 29 South
62.8 mi · 38%
North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi · 21%
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 14%
I 66 West
15 mi · 9%
Lee Highway
10.6 mi · 6%
James Monroe Highway
7.82 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US 29 South

Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South, US 250 West

61.9 mi · 01h 16m

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
03h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
140.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stanardsville
01h 30m from Fairfax
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Fairfax and Sunny near Lynchburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairfax to Lynchburg?

The road trip is about 163.9 miles (263.8 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?

Stanardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.8 miles from Fairfax and 82.2 miles from Lynchburg.

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

The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Fairfax and Sunny near Lynchburg.

Stop Ideas Near Stanardsville

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

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

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

30 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Culpeper station

44 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Staunton station

58 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Fredericksburg

86 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfax and Lynchburg. Straight-line distance: 140.54 mi (226.17 km).

Fairfax

#1 Fairfax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population23,429
Coordinates38.8462200, -77.3063700
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Lynchburg

#2 Lynchburg

The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Population81,561
Coordinates37.4137500, -79.1422500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-77.306413, 38.846223)
End: 10th Street (-79.142183, 37.413677)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 264 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.79 gal
21.9 L · about $22.93
Round trip
$45.87
11.58 gal · 43.8 L
Estimated CO2
51.5 kg one way
Round trip: 102.9 kg / 227 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.93 $45.87
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.64 $51.29
Premium $4.78 $27.66 $55.33
Diesel $5.62 $32.56 $65.13

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfax and Lynchburg. The current time is 20:59:25.

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.