Don't you just love a small town? Virginia's larger cities are incredible - I love a day trip to Richmond, and Norfolk and Chesapeake both have their charms. But small towns make up the backbone of our great state, and any visit to Old Dominion is incomplete without checking out some of our many little rural towns. They're perfect for discovering the state's rich culture and history, and also a wonderful place to find great little shops and restaurants. If you're looking for your next big adventure, we've got a great one in store for you today with this epic road trip to some of the best small towns in Virginia. This is a lengthy trip, but it's full of fun and perfect for next time you've got a few days free.

If you opt to explore the entirety of the trip we have planned, it'll take just under five and a half hours of driving. Of course, you'll want to add in a few hours to explore each town. I recommend allotting at least three days for the entire trip, but you can always customize the itinerary using Google Maps if you're looking to make the route shorter.

We'll start our trip in Front Royal, a town of 15,000 in the Shenandoah Valley. It may have a somewhat sizable population to be included on a small-town road trip list, but you'll find that this place has all the charm of a much tinier city. This is an absolutely beautiful spot, and one of our favorite restaurants to enjoy here is Region's 117, an exquisite eatery offering up lakefront fine dining with incredible views. Love history and all things spooky? Check out Prospect Hill Cemetery, an allegedly haunted graveyard that's the final resting place of many Civil War soldiers.

Head south a bit, and you'll hit our next destination, Culpeper. This is another bigger-than-it-feels town, and you'll be welcomed by a bustling downtown area that offers a little bit of everything. You'll find charming little cafes and shops lining the city streets. The quiet setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains provides plenty of natural beauty, and the city's outskirts boast gently rolling hills and tranquil farmlands.

Those who prefer their small towns a bit smaller will love our next stop: Ashland, population 7,000. This historic town has plenty of ties to the railroad, and its visitors center is housed in an old 1920s train station. Looking for a unique dining experience? Check out Islamorada Fish Company. The rustic atmosphere and giant aquarium make for quite a memorable meal.

You'll head southwest a bit before coming up on our next town: Farmville (no, not the Facebook game!). As the name implies, this is a farm 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 shopping. The sprawling Green Front Furniture has over 1,000,000 square feet of luxury furniture available in 12 warehouses spread out over six blocks. Another can't-miss attraction here is High Bridge Trail State Park, home to a 31-mile trail running over the Appomattox River.

Last but not least is our final stop on this road trip: Lexington. This city lies right at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Interstate 64, and has so many great attractions. This is another two-college town: it's home to both the Virginia Military Academy and Washington and Lee University. The downtown area contains several historic Civil War sites, including Stonewall Jackson's house and gravesite.

Which of these small towns in Virginia is your favorite? Any that aren't on the list that you think should've been included? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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