How far is Lorton, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Lorton, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 98.1 miles (157.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82.1 miles (132.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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 15m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lorton and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorton and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on Sanger Street
94 m · 41 sec · Sanger Street
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2
Continue on Sanger Street
127 m · 22 sec · Sanger Street
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3
Turn right onto Lorton Road
158 m · 18 sec · Lorton Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 95 South: Richmond
1174 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
29.4 mi · 35 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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6
Keep slight right
3.8 mi · 4 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
1560 ft · 38 sec
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8
Keep slight left
534 ft · 15 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Plank Road
12.5 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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10
Take the exit slight left
152 m · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Constitution Highway
21.6 mi · 30 min · Constitution Highway
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12
Continue on Berry Hill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Berry Hill Road
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13
Turn left onto Caroline Street
1404 ft · 50 sec · Caroline Street
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14
Continue on James Madison Highway
7.9 mi · 12 min · James Madison Highway
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15
Continue on East Gordon Avenue
817 ft · 20 sec · East Gordon Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Gordon Avenue
37 m · 1 sec · West Gordon Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto West Gordon Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Gordon Avenue
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18
Continue on Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi · 12 min · Gordonsville Road
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19
Continue on Louisa Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · Louisa Road
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20
Turn straight onto Richmond Road
4 mi · 7 min · Richmond Road
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21
Continue on Long Street
126 m · 17 sec · Long Street
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22
Turn left onto East High Street
1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street
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23
Continue on 9th Street Northeast
632 ft · 25 sec · 9th Street Northeast
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24
Turn right onto East Market Street
130 m · 22 sec · East Market Street
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25
Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast
87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lorton 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
29.4 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Sunny leaving Lorton and Sunny near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lorton to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 98.1 miles (157.8 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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 48.6 miles from Lorton and 49.5 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82.1 miles (132.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 1:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.71 one way or $27.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lorton and Sunny 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 Lorton and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 82.17 mi (132.24 km).
#1 Lorton
Census designated place
| Population | 18,610 |
| Coordinates | 38.7042800, -77.2277600 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| 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: 158 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $13.71 | $27.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.32 | $30.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.53 | $33.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.46 | $38.92 |
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.