Don’t you just love a small town? Virginia’s big cities are incredible. I love day trips to Richmond, and Norfolk and Chesapeake both have their charms. But small towns are the backbone of our great state, and any tour of the Old Dominion would be incomplete without a visit to some of our many small, rural towns. They’re great for learning about the state’s rich culture and history, and are also a wonderful place to find great little shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for your next big adventure, we have a great one in store for you today with this epic road trip to some of the Best Small Towns in Virginia. It’s a long trip, but it’s a lot of fun and perfect for the next time you have a few days off.

If you choose to explore the entire trip we have planned, it will take just under five and a half hours to drive. Of course, you’ll want to add a few hours to explore each city. I recommend allowing at least three days for the entire trip, but you can always customize the directions with Google Maps if you are looking to shorten the route.

We will begin our trip in Front Royal, a town of 15,000 people in the Shenandoah Valley. There may be a large enough population to include on a small town road trip list, but you’ll find that this place has all the charm of a much smaller town. It’s an absolutely beautiful place, and one of our favorite restaurants here is Region 117an exquisite restaurant offering fine cuisine by the lake with incredible views. Do you like history and all things spooky? Check Prospect Hill Cemeterya supposedly haunted cemetery that is the final resting place of many Civil War soldiers.

Head south a little and you will reach our next destination, Culpeper. It’s another city that’s bigger than it seems, and you’ll be greeted by a bustling downtown that offers a little bit of everything. You’ll find charming little cafes and boutiques lining the city streets. The quiet setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers great natural beauty, and the outskirts of town are home to rolling hills and quiet farmland.

Those who prefer their small towns a little smaller will love our next stop: Ashland, population 7,000. This historic town has many connections to the railroad and its visitor center is housed in a former train station from the 1920s. Looking for a unique dining experience? Discover Islamorada Fish Company. The rustic atmosphere and giant aquarium make for a memorable meal.

You will head a little southwest before arriving at our next town: Fermeville (no, not the Facebook game!). As the name suggests, it’s a farming town through and through, and it’s the perfect place for a quiet escape. It’s a two-college town that’s home to Longwood University and Hampden-Sidney, but it’s perhaps best known for its furniture stores. The sprawl Green facade furniture has over 1,000,000 square feet of luxury furniture available in 12 warehouses spread over six city blocks. Another attraction not to be missed here is High Bridge Trail State Parkwhich is home to a 31-mile trail crossing the Appomattox River.

Last but not least, our last stop on this road trip: Lexington. This city sits right at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Interstate 64 and has many interesting attractions. This is another two-college city: it’s home to both the Virginia Military Academy and Washington and Lee University. Downtown contains several historic Civil War sites, including Stonewall Jackson’s home and grave.

Which of these small Virginia towns is your favorite? Are there any that aren’t on the list that you think should have been included? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Traveling by car is my favorite way to explore: it offers so many opportunities to discover unexpected wonders! That being said, road trips require a little extra preparation. To make sure you stay safe and have a good time, check out our packing list of road trip essentials before taking the highway.