How far is Petersburg, VA from Lynchburg, VA?
The driving distance from Petersburg, VA to Lynchburg, VA is about 166.1 miles (267.3 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 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 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 Petersburg and Lynchburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg and Lynchburg.
-
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
-
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
-
10
Keep slight right
91 m · 11 sec
-
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
10.6 mi · 11 min · Monacan Parkway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward VA 210 West: Downtown Lynchburg
1096 ft · 31 sec
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20
Turn right onto Old Town Connector
2.3 mi · 4 min · Old Town Connector
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21
Turn left
1357 ft · 33 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Amherst Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Amherst Highway
-
23
Continue on Lynchburg Expressway
1123 ft · 17 sec · Lynchburg Expressway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Riverfront
151 m · 28 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown, Riverfront
36 m · 10 sec
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26
Turn left onto Main Street
11 m · 5 sec · Main Street
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27
Turn left onto Pearl Street
103 m · 8 sec · Pearl Street
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28
Turn right onto Church Street
2001 ft · 1 min · Church Street
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29
Turn right onto 10th Street
30 m · 4 sec · 10th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersburg and Lynchburg.
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 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 Petersburg and Mostly Sunny near Lynchburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Petersburg to Lynchburg?
The road trip is about 166.1 miles (267.3 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 82.5 miles from Petersburg and 83.6 miles from Lynchburg.
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 47 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 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.21 one way or $46.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Petersburg and Mostly Sunny near Lynchburg.
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 Petersburg and Lynchburg. Straight-line distance: 119.07 mi (191.62 km).
#1 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lynchburg
The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 81,561 |
| Coordinates | 37.4137500, -79.1422500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: 10th Street (-79.142183, 37.413677)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 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 | $23.21 | $46.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.95 | $51.91 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.00 | $56.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.96 | $65.91 |
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.