The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway runs 180 miles from Gettysburg to Monticello, through more Civil War sites and early American landmarks than almost any other drive in the country. It follows US 15 through Maryland and northern Virginia, then local roads to Charlottesville.
The byway exists because of a fight over development. In the early 1990s, the Walt Disney Company tried to build a theme park near Manassas Battlefield, and preservation groups organized to protect the landscape. Congress named the area a National Heritage Area in 2008, and the road became a National Scenic Byway in 2009.
Along the way are nine presidential homes, 13 national parks, battlefields, and small towns with historic downtowns. The Piedmont between Leesburg and Charlottesville is horse and wine country.
Route Details: Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway
Mile markers below are my estimates of distance from Gettysburg.
Gettysburg (0 miles)
The byway starts at Gettysburg National Military Park, site of the three-day battle in July 1863 and of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address a few months later. The Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home of President Dwight Eisenhower, is next to the battlefield. Gettysburg also has an 8-stall Tesla Supercharger.
Emmitsburg and Catoctin Mountain Park (20-30 miles)
US 15 crosses into Maryland at Emmitsburg, which has the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Catoctin Mountain Park, nearby, has hiking trails, fly fishing, and scenic drives, and Camp David, the presidential retreat, sits inside it.
Frederick (50 miles)
Frederick has a historic downtown, and Monocacy National Battlefield is one of the Civil War sites nearby. The city has several public chargers, including fast charging.
Point of Rocks (70 miles)
Point of Rocks is where US 15 meets the Potomac River, the C&O Canal, and the C&O Railroad. It is the last Maryland stop before the road crosses into Virginia, and Harpers Ferry is a short detour across the river.
Leesburg (85 miles)
Leesburg has a historic district dating to 1758. Dodona Manor, the home of Gen. George C. Marshall, is in town, and James Monroe’s Oak Hill estate is nearby in Loudoun County. Leesburg has Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America stations.
Middleburg (110 miles)
Middleburg is the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, about an hour from Washington, D.C. Its historic district has restaurants, inns, and shops.
Manassas National Battlefield Park (side trip, 105 miles)
Manassas National Battlefield Park is a short drive off the byway and preserves the sites of two Civil War battles. It also has an old-growth forest that is a National Natural Landmark.
Culpeper (140 miles)
Culpeper is a Piedmont town that George Washington helped survey as a young man. It is a good lunch stop, and the Sheetz Tesla Supercharger area nearby serves the byway’s middle stretch.
Wilderness Battlefield (155 miles)
South of Culpeper, a five-mile driving tour covers the Battle of the Wilderness, where Ulysses S. Grant fought Robert E. Lee in 1864.
Orange and Montpelier (165 miles)
Orange is the home area of James Madison’s Montpelier, which has been restored to its look during Madison’s life. The Barboursville Ruins, designed by Thomas Jefferson, are close by, and the area has wineries.
Charlottesville and Monticello (180 miles)
The byway ends near Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. The University of Virginia’s Academical Village, James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland, and Theodore Roosevelt’s Pine Knot are all within a short drive, and downtown has a pedestrian Main Street. Charlottesville has a Tesla Supercharger and a 350 kW Electrify America site.
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