How far is Lake Ridge, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Lake Ridge, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Ridge and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ridge and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on Woodfern Court
138 m · 24 sec · Woodfern Court
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2
Turn left onto Antietam Road
1985 ft · 57 sec · Antietam Road
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3
Turn left onto Old Bridge Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Bridge Road
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4
Turn right onto Minnieville Road
2747 ft · 1 min · Minnieville Road
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5
Turn slight left
588 ft · 24 sec
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6
Continue on Telegraph Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Telegraph Road
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7
Take the ramp left toward Prince William Parkway
2375 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Prince William Parkway
143 m · 9 sec · Prince William Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond
1758 ft · 43 sec
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10
Merge slight left
24.1 mi · 28 min
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11
Keep slight right
3.8 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
1560 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left
534 ft · 15 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Plank Road
12.5 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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15
Take the exit slight left
152 m · 16 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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17
Continue on Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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18
Turn left onto Caroline Street
1404 ft · 48 sec · Caroline Street
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19
Continue on James Madison Highway
7.9 mi · 12 min · James Madison Highway
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20
Continue on East Gordon Avenue
817 ft · 21 sec · East Gordon Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Gordon Avenue
37 m · 1 sec · West Gordon Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto West Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Gordon Avenue
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23
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
-
24
Continue on Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
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25
Turn straight onto Richmond Road
4 mi · 7 min · Richmond Road
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26
Continue on Long Street
126 m · 17 sec · Long Street
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27
Turn left onto East High Street
1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street
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28
Continue on 9th Street Northeast
632 ft · 25 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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29
Turn right onto East Market Street
130 m · 22 sec · East Market Street
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30
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Ridge 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.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
24.1 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lake Ridge and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Lake Ridge to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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 48 miles from Lake Ridge and 49.5 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.63 one way or $27.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lake Ridge and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Lake Ridge and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 78.42 mi (126.21 km).
#1 Lake Ridge
Census designated place
| Population | 41,058 |
| Coordinates | 38.6878900, -77.2977600 |
| Altitude | 85 |
| 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: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $13.63 | $27.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.24 | $30.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.44 | $32.87 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.35 | $38.69 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.