How far is Harrisonburg, VA from Bristol, VA?

The driving distance from Harrisonburg, VA to Bristol, VA is about 246.4 miles (396.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 222.5 miles (358 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
246.46 mi
04h 34m
Flight
222.42 mi
357.95 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harrisonburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
222.42 mi
Kilometers
357.95 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
246.46 mi
Kilometers
396.64 km
Drive Time
04h 34m

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 04h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Wed, Apr 15, 11:18 AM EDT
Return by in Harrisonburg
Wed, Apr 15, 3:52 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harrisonburg
2026-04-15T06:44
Arrive Bristol
Wed, Apr 15, 11:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:52 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harrisonburg
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Shawsville
VA

Census designated place

From Harrisonburg
123.2 mi
02h 17m
To Bristol
123.3 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph S
Destination
55°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisonburg and Bristol.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg and Bristol.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    35 m · 9 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Court Square

    79 m · 8 sec · Court Square

  3. 3

    Continue on Court Square

    51 m · 5 sec · Court Square

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Market Street

    873 ft · 19 sec · West Market Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South High Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · South High Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Maryland Avenue

    2307 ft · 1 min · Maryland Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Port Republic Road

    2558 ft · 1 min · Port Republic Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1009 ft · 25 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    54.3 mi · 59 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    117.1 mi · 2 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.3 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    68.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 381: Bristol

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Commonwealth Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Commonwealth Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Sullins Street

    35 m · 5 sec · Sullins Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sullins Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisonburg and Bristol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Port Republic Road
242 mi · 98%
I 381
1.77 mi · 1%
Commonwealth Avenue
1.1 mi
South High Street
0.85 mi
Maryland Avenue
0.44 mi
West Market Street
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

Port Republic Road

Keep slight left

117 mi · 02h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.9 mi
222.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shawsville
02h 17m from Harrisonburg
Leave By
7:52 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Harrisonburg and Mostly Clear near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Harrisonburg to Bristol?

The road trip is about 246.4 miles (396.6 km) and usually takes 04h 34m 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?

Shawsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.2 miles from Harrisonburg and 123.3 miles from Bristol.

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

The direct path is about 222.5 miles (358 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 7:52 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.46 one way or $68.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Harrisonburg and Mostly Clear near Bristol.

Stop Ideas Near Shawsville

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

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

BUS

Blacksburg, VA

16 mi away
291 Alumni Mall -- Transit Concourse
BUS

Roanoke

31 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE
RAIL

White Sulphur Springs

69 mi away
315 West Main Street
RAIL

Alderson

71 mi away
1 C&O Plaza on Railroad Plaza

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harrisonburg and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 222.42 mi (357.95 km).

Harrisonburg

#1 Harrisonburg

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population53,204
Coordinates38.4495700, -78.8689200
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Bristol

#2 Bristol

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population17,329
Coordinates36.5964900, -82.1884700
Altitude512
CountryUnited States
Start: Harrisonburg (-78.86892, 38.44957)
End: Bristol (-82.18847, 36.59649)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 397 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.7 gal
32.92 L · about $34.46
Round trip
$68.92
17.4 gal · 65.84 L
Estimated CO2
77.3 kg one way
Round trip: 154.6 kg / 341 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $34.46 $68.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $38.53 $77.06
Premium $4.78 $41.57 $83.14
Diesel $5.62 $48.93 $97.86

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Harrisonburg and Bristol. The current time is 06:44:08.

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.