How far is Lynchburg, VA from Petersburg, VA?
The driving distance from Lynchburg, VA to Petersburg, VA is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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 45m.
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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lynchburg and Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg and Petersburg.
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1
Start on 10th Street
68 m · 14 sec · 10th Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
2618 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
638 ft · 16 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
1143 ft · 18 sec · Lynchburg Expressway
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5
Continue on Amherst Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Amherst Highway
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6
Turn right onto Amelon Expressway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Amelon Expressway
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7
Take the ramp left toward US 29 North
1228 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Monacan Parkway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Monacan Parkway
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9
Continue on South Amherst Highway
8.8 mi · 11 min · South Amherst Highway
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10
Continue on Thomas Nelson Highway
16.1 mi · 20 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
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11
Turn left onto River Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road
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12
Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway
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13
Turn left onto Afton Mountain Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Afton Mountain Road
2031 ft · 38 sec · Afton Mountain Road
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15
Turn left onto Rockfish Gap Turnpike
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike
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16
Continue on Three Notched Mountain Highway
1700 ft · 47 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway
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17
Turn left onto I-64
571 ft · 14 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I-64 West: Staunton
1043 ft · 25 sec
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19
Merge slight left
11.9 mi · 13 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Staunton, Winchester
2481 ft · 47 sec
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21
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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23
Continue straight
12.7 mi · 14 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden
1328 ft · 35 sec
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25
Turn right onto Apple Mountain Road
547 ft · 17 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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26
Turn left onto John Marshall Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · John Marshall Highway
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · John Marshall Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lynchburg and Petersburg.
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 81 North
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 01h 25m
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 leaving Lynchburg and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lynchburg to Petersburg?
The road trip is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Weyers Cave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.8 miles from Lynchburg and 84 miles from Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.7 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.17 one way or $46.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lynchburg and Mostly Sunny near Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Weyers Cave
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 Weyers Cave.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lynchburg and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 119.07 mi (191.62 km).
#1 Lynchburg
The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 81,561 |
| Coordinates | 37.4137500, -79.1422500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: John Marshall Highway (-78.053329, 38.909317)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.91 | $51.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.90 | $65.80 |
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 · Jun 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.