How far is Franconia, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Franconia, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 105 miles (169 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.9 miles (143 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 22m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franconia and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franconia and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on Franconia Road
34 m · 5 sec · Franconia Road
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2
Continue on Franconia Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Franconia Road
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3
Continue on Franconia Road
2251 ft · 1 min · Franconia Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, I 95 South
84 m · 7 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South: Richmond
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight right
3.8 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
1560 ft · 38 sec
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9
Keep slight left
534 ft · 15 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Plank Road
12.5 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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11
Take the exit slight left
152 m · 16 sec
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12
Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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13
Continue on Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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14
Turn left onto Caroline Street
1404 ft · 48 sec · Caroline Street
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15
Continue on James Madison Highway
7.9 mi · 12 min · James Madison Highway
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16
Continue on East Gordon Avenue
817 ft · 21 sec · East Gordon Avenue
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Gordon Avenue
37 m · 1 sec · West Gordon Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto West Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Gordon Avenue
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19
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
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20
Continue on Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
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21
Turn straight onto Richmond Road
4 mi · 7 min · Richmond Road
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22
Continue on Long Street
126 m · 17 sec · Long Street
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23
Turn left onto East High Street
1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street
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24
Continue on 9th Street Northeast
632 ft · 25 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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25
Turn right onto East Market Street
130 m · 22 sec · East Market Street
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26
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franconia and Charlottesville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
34.7 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Franconia and Chance Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franconia to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 105 miles (169 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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 52.3 miles from Franconia and 52.7 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.9 miles (143 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 1:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.70 one way or $29.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Franconia and Chance Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Stop Ideas Near Spotsylvania Courthouse
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 Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Culpeper station
Ashland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franconia and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 88.84 mi (142.98 km).
#1 Franconia
Census designated place
| Population | 18,245 |
| Coordinates | 38.7820600, -77.1463700 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.70 | $29.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.43 | $32.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.73 | $35.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.87 | $41.73 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.