How far is Lynchburg, VA from Harrisonburg, VA?

The driving distance from Lynchburg, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is about 97.1 miles (156.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m 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
97.15 mi
01h 45m
Flight
73.1 mi
117.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lynchburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
73.1 mi
Kilometers
117.65 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.15 mi
Kilometers
156.35 km
Drive Time
01h 45m

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 01h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Harrisonburg
Mon, May 25, 4:33 AM EDT
Return by in Lynchburg
Mon, May 25, 6:19 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lynchburg
2026-05-25T02:48
Arrive Harrisonburg
Mon, May 25, 4:33 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lynchburg
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
Waynesboro
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Lynchburg
48.2 mi
00h 52m
To Harrisonburg
49 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Memorial Day

Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Memorial Day

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Street

    68 m · 14 sec · 10th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2618 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    638 ft · 16 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway

    1143 ft · 18 sec · Lynchburg Expressway

  5. 5

    Continue on Amherst Highway

    1.2 km · 60 sec · Amherst Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 210

    1616 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Old Town Connector

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Old Town Connector

  8. 8

    Take the exit left toward US 29 North

    2178 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Monacan Parkway

    11 mi · 12 min · Monacan Parkway

  10. 10

    Continue on South Amherst Highway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · South Amherst Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Thomas Nelson Highway

    16.1 mi · 20 min · Thomas Nelson Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto River Road

    5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Afton Mountain Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Afton Mountain Road

    2031 ft · 38 sec · Afton Mountain Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Rockfish Gap Turnpike

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike

  17. 17

    Continue on Three Notched Mountain Highway

    1700 ft · 47 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto I-64

    571 ft · 14 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I-64 West: Staunton

    1043 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    11.9 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester

    2481 ft · 47 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    23.7 mi · 26 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 253: Harrisonburg

    1025 ft · 32 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Port Republic Road

    3246 ft · 2 min · Port Republic Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
24.2 mi · 25%
Thomas Nelson Highway
16.1 mi · 17%
I-64 West
12.1 mi · 12%
Monacan Parkway
11 mi · 11%
South Amherst Highway
8.81 mi · 9%
Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Merge slight left

23.7 mi · 00h 26m

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
01h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
73.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waynesboro
00h 52m from Lynchburg
Leave By
3:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lynchburg and Showers And Thunderstorms near Harrisonburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 97.1 miles (156.3 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?

Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.2 miles from Lynchburg and 49 miles from Harrisonburg.

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

The direct path is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 3:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.59 one way or $27.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms around Lynchburg and Showers And Thunderstorms near Harrisonburg.

Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro

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

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

RAIL

Staunton station

18 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

35 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Kemper Street station

77 mi away
825 Kemper St
RAIL

Clifton Forge

88 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lynchburg and Harrisonburg. Straight-line distance: 73.1 mi (117.65 km).

Lynchburg

#1 Lynchburg

The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Population81,561
Coordinates37.4137500, -79.1422500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Harrisonburg

#2 Harrisonburg

The most populous city in Virginia.

Population53,204
Coordinates38.4495700, -78.8689200
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Start: 10th Street (-79.142183, 37.413677)
End: North Main Street (-78.868577, 38.449511)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
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.

One-way fuel
3.43 gal
12.98 L · about $13.59
Round trip
$27.17
6.86 gal · 25.96 L
Estimated CO2
30.5 kg one way
Round trip: 61 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $13.59 $27.17
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.19 $30.38
Premium $4.78 $16.39 $32.78
Diesel $5.62 $19.29 $38.58

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Lynchburg and Harrisonburg. The current time is 02:48:09.

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.