10 Easy Road Trips from Charlottesville, VA: Fun Things To Do Just Outside the City
If you live in or around
Charlottesville, Virginia and you’re itching to hit the road for a day, you’re in luck. Within about an hour or so, you can find mountain views, wineries, lakes, small towns, and historic sites that feel a world away from your daily routine.
This guide focuses on
short road trips outside Charlottesville’s county, exploring nearby spots in:
All easy drives. All packed with things to do near Charlottesville.
1. Skyline Drive & Shenandoah National Park Overlooks (Rockingham & Augusta Counties)
If you only do one Charlottesville road trip, make it this one.
Head west toward the
Blue Ridge Mountains and enter
Shenandoah National Park at one of the northern or southern entrances that drop you into
Rockingham or
Augusta County. Once you’re on
Skyline Drive, it’s just one jaw-dropping overlook after another.
- Driving time from Charlottesville: About 45–60 minutes to an entrance, depending on your route.
- What to do:
- Pull off at scenic overlooks for photos and picnics.
- Take a short hike like Blackrock Summit or Hightop.
- Look for deer and black bears (from a safe distance!).
On a clear fall day, the layers of blue ridges and orange leaves feel almost unreal. One time I pulled over just to “snap a quick photo” and ended up sitting on a rock for 40 minutes, doing nothing but watching the clouds roll over the valley. That’s the kind of slow-down this place encourages.
2. Wineries & Craft Cider in Nelson County, VA
If you love scenic drives, wine, or cider,
Nelson County is a must. South of Charlottesville, the countryside rolls into vineyards, orchards, and mountain views that look like a postcard.
- Driving time: 35–60 minutes, depending on the winery or cidery.
- Highlights:
- Relax on a winery patio with a glass of Virginia wine.
- Try local hard cider made from nearby orchards.
- Pair drinks with cheese plates or wood-fired pizza (at some spots).
This is a great road trip from Charlottesville for couples, small groups, or anyone who just wants to sit outside with a drink and a view. Pick two or three stops and don’t rush it—this is a “slow afternoon” kind of outing.
3. Lake Anna Retreats in Louisa County, VA
Want water without driving to the beach?
Lake Anna, stretching into
Louisa County, is one of the best lake getaways near Charlottesville.
- Driving time: Around 1 hour.
- What you can do:
- Swim or relax at Lake Anna State Park’s sandy swimming area.
- Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or small boat.
- Bring a picnic and make a full day of it.
If you’ve got kids, this is a no-brainer. There’s room to run, splash, and explore. Even if you’re solo, a quiet spot by the water with a book feels like a mini-vacation from Charlottesville life.
4. Small-Town Charm & History in Orange County, VA
Just northeast of Charlottesville,
Orange County blends farmland, history, and small-town streets that feel straight out of a movie.
- Driving time: 35–50 minutes to the town of Orange or nearby attractions.
- Things to do:
- Stroll through the town of Orange and pop into local shops.
- Visit nearby historic sites and country churches.
- Grab lunch at a local café and people-watch.
This is a good choice when you want a mellow day trip from Charlottesville without a lot of planning. Just get in the car, drive through the rolling fields, and let the day unfold.
5. Farm Country & River Views in Fluvanna County, VA
Head southeast from Charlottesville and you’ll slip into
Fluvanna County, a quiet, rural area where the roads wind past pastures, barns, and the James River.
- Driving time: 25–45 minutes.
- Ideas for your visit:
- Take a scenic drive along backroads and stop for photos.
- Look for public river access points for fishing or a riverside stroll.
- Pack snacks and turn it into an old-fashioned Sunday drive.
If you’ve ever said, “I just want to drive and clear my head,” this is
exactly the kind of place you’re picturing—peaceful, green, and slow-paced.
6. Mountain Vistas & Country Roads in Greene County, VA
Just north of Charlottesville,
Greene County is a gateway to the mountains and Shenandoah National Park. The views start almost as soon as you leave town.
- Driving time: 25–40 minutes.
- Things to enjoy:
- Drive Route 33 and watch the mountains rise ahead of you.
- Stop at local spots for ice cream or a casual meal.
- Use it as a back way to reach park trails and overlooks.
On a clear evening, driving back toward Charlottesville with the sky turning pink behind the ridges is one of those “wow, I actually live near this” moments.
7. Buckingham County Backroads & James River Time
Cross the James River to the south and you’re in
Buckingham County, a quiet area that’s perfect for low-key exploring.
- Driving time: 45–60 minutes.
- What to do there:
- Enjoy a slow drive across farmland and forested hills.
- Look for public spots along the James River to relax.
- Check out small-town main streets and local diners.
This isn’t a high-adrenaline trip. It’s more like hitting pause on life for a few hours. Think windows down, your favorite playlist on, and not much else on the schedule.
8. Augusta County Countryside & Valley Views
West of the Blue Ridge,
Augusta County spreads out into classic Shenandoah Valley farmland and small communities.
- Driving time: 45–60 minutes.
- Why go:
- Drive quiet country roads with big sky and open fields.
- Spot old barns, silos, and sweeping views of the mountains.
- Stop at local markets for seasonal produce and baked goods.
If you’ve got a camera, this is your playground—especially around sunrise or sunset when the light hits the valley just right.
9. Scenic Escapes in Rockingham County, VA
Beyond the national park,
Rockingham County itself is full of pretty drives, forests, and rural landscapes that make a great day trip from Charlottesville.
- Driving time: Around 1 hour.
- Trip ideas:
- Follow country roads and watch the Blue Ridge fade in and out of view.
- Look for roadside farm stands in season.
- Combine this with Skyline Drive for a loop rather than a there-and-back route.
If you hate retracing your steps, building a loop drive through Rockingham and back toward Charlottesville is a fun way to see more in one day.
10. Albemarle County: Wine, Views & Country Lanes (Outside City Limits)
While Charlottesville itself isn’t the focus here, the
surrounding Albemarle County (beyond the city’s own limits) is packed with scenic drives and classic Virginia wine country.
- Driving time: 10–40 minutes, depending where you go.
- What makes it special:
- Rolling hills covered in vines and horse farms.
- Curvy backroads with mountain views in the distance.
- Easy-to-reach wineries and countryside stops perfect for a half-day trip.
This is the ideal “I only have an afternoon” road trip. You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve left the city behind.
Tips for Planning Your Charlottesville Road Trips
To make these
short road trips from Charlottesville even better, keep a few simple tips in mind:
- Check the weather: Mountain and lake trips are much better when the sky cooperates.
- Fuel up first: Some rural areas don’t have frequent gas stations.
- Pack a small bag: Water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and maybe a light jacket.
- Download maps: Cell service can be patchy in the mountains and countryside.
Think of each of these drives as a “micro-adventure”—enough to refresh you without taking up your whole week.
Ready to Explore Beyond Charlottesville?
Living in or visiting Charlottesville means you have a whole ring of amazing places within a short drive—lakes, mountains, vineyards, rivers, and small towns that are perfect for:
- Day trips from Charlottesville
- Weekend getaways near Charlottesville
- Last-minute scenic drives when you just need a break
Now I’d love to hear from you:
- Which of these counties near Charlottesville is your favorite to explore?
- Do you have a go-to winery, overlook, or backroad you always return to?
Drop your tips and stories in the comments so other travelers can discover new ideas too.
And if you found this guide helpful, please
share it with friends or family planning a trip to Charlottesville, VA or looking for new weekend road trip ideas. Your share might be the nudge someone needs to get out and explore Virginia’s beautiful backroads.
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