How far is Petersburg, VA from West Lynchburg, VA?
The driving distance from Petersburg, VA to West Lynchburg, VA is about 168.5 miles (271.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.7 miles (194.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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 48m.
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
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Petersburg and West Lynchburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg and West Lynchburg.
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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
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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7
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Buena Vista
1617 ft · 40 sec
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9
Continue on East Midland Trail
3 mi · 3 min · East Midland Trail
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10
Continue on 29th Street
3092 ft · 40 sec · 29th Street
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11
Take the exit right
92 m · 8 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Beech Avenue
2224 ft · 31 sec · Beech Avenue
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13
Continue on Sycamore Avenue
2.7 mi · 3 min · Sycamore Avenue
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14
Continue on Glasgow Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Glasgow Highway
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15
Continue on Elon Road
5.3 mi · 6 min · Elon Road
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16
Turn right onto Lee Jackson Highway
13.8 mi · 19 min · Lee Jackson Highway
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17
Continue on Boonsboro Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Boonsboro Road
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18
Turn right onto Lynchburg Expressway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Lynchburg Expressway
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19
Turn right onto Old Forest Road
761 ft · 20 sec · Old Forest Road
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20
Turn left onto Whitehall Road
1223 ft · 36 sec · Whitehall Road
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lakeside Drive
2.1 mi · 4 min · Lakeside Drive
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Lakeside Drive
66 m · 5 sec · Lakeside Drive
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Lakeside Drive
1159 ft · 30 sec · Lakeside Drive
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lakeside Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersburg and West 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
109 mi · 01h 58m
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 Partly Sunny near West Lynchburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Petersburg to West Lynchburg?
The road trip is about 168.5 miles (271.2 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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 84.8 miles from Petersburg and 83.8 miles from West Lynchburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.7 miles (194.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 12:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.57 one way or $47.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Petersburg and Partly Sunny near West 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 West Lynchburg. Straight-line distance: 120.67 mi (194.2 km).
#1 Petersburg
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 30,446 |
| Coordinates | 38.9092800, -78.0533300 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Lynchburg
A census-designated place (CDP) in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 65,517 |
| Coordinates | 37.4032000, -79.1780800 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakeside Drive (-79.178116, 37.403242)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.57 | $47.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.35 | $52.71 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.46 | $66.93 |
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.