How far is Petersburg, VA from Danville, VA?
The driving distance from Petersburg, VA to Danville, VA is about 225.9 miles (363.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.5 miles (284 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Petersburg and Danville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg and Danville.
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1
Start on John Marshall Highway
2.6 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway
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2
Turn right onto Apple Mountain Road
1209 ft · 29 sec · Apple Mountain Road
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3
Take the ramp left
1453 ft · 36 sec
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4
Merge slight left
12.6 mi · 13 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
78.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Richmond
1 km · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight right
11.9 mi · 13 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 250: Afton, Waynesboro
2204 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight right
91 m · 11 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Three Notched Mountain Highway
1533 ft · 37 sec · Three Notched Mountain Highway
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12
Continue on Rockfish Gap Turnpike
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockfish Gap Turnpike
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13
Turn right onto Afton Mountain Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · Afton Mountain Road
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14
Turn right onto Rockfish Valley Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Rockfish Valley Highway
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15
Turn left onto River Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · River Road
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16
Turn right onto Thomas Nelson Highway
16 mi · 20 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
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17
Continue on North Amherst Highway
9.4 mi · 11 min · North Amherst Highway
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18
Continue on Monacan Parkway
12 mi · 13 min · Monacan Parkway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
1 km · 1 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Richmond Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South
1911 ft · 47 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Wards Road
30.7 mi · 39 min · Wards Road
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23
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South
14.8 mi · 18 min
-
24
Continue straight
12.8 mi · 16 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward VA 41: Halifax
1361 ft · 33 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Franklin Turnpike
1318 ft · 26 sec · Franklin Turnpike
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27
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Richmond Road
2497 ft · 50 sec · Old Richmond Road
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28
Continue on Richmond Boulevard
2975 ft · 59 sec · Richmond Boulevard
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29
Continue on Justin Lane
1.3 km · 1 min · Justin Lane
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30
Turn straight onto North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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31
Continue on Main Street
3024 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
32
Turn left onto South Ridge Street
32 m · 2 sec · South Ridge Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Ridge Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersburg and Danville.
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 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
78.2 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Petersburg and Sunny near Danville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Petersburg to Danville?
The road trip is about 225.9 miles (363.5 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?
Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.7 miles from Petersburg and 110.2 miles from Danville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.5 miles (284 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 9:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.57 one way or $63.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Petersburg and Sunny near Danville.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro
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 Waynesboro.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Kemper Street station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Petersburg and Danville. Straight-line distance: 176.46 mi (283.99 km).
#1 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Danville
The seat of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
| Population | 39,869 |
| Coordinates | 36.5859700, -79.3950200 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Ridge Street (-79.39498, 36.586011)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.57 | $63.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.30 | $70.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.08 | $76.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.82 | $89.65 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.