Origin
Alexandria, VA
Late night in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
12:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
205.5 mi
331 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Motley, VA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
The drive from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 29, I 95, Wards Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.2 miles on US 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.8 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 205.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 49...
8
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
43.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Danville
174 mi in
|
~3h 52m
|
via US 29
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 29 | 60.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 95 | 41 mi | 48m |
| Wards Road | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| Constitution Highway | 21.6 mi | 30m |
| Plank Road | 12.5 mi | 18m |
| Gordonsville Road | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| James Madison Highway | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Richmond Highway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 60.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Motley, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
75 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto King Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
King Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Saint Asaph Street
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
334 ft
·
18 sec
·
Duke Street
5
Turn left onto VA 400
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Washington Street
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Gibbon Street
7
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Patrick Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
438 ft
·
10 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
15
Merge onto VA 3
12 mi
·
18 min
·
Plank Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
498 ft
·
15 sec
17
Merge onto VA 20
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Constitution Highway
18
Continue on VA 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Berry Hill Road
19
Turn left onto US 15
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Caroline Street
20
Continue on US 15
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
James Madison Highway
21
Continue on US 15
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Gordon Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto VA 231
121 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Gordon Avenue
23
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Gordon Avenue
24
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Gordonsville Road
25
Continue on VA 22
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Louisa Road
26
Turn straight onto US 250
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 64 West
28
Merge onto I 64
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 64
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 29 South
30
Merge onto US 29
59 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
US 29
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
32
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Richmond Highway
33
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
34
Merge onto US 29
23 mi
·
29 min
·
Wards Road
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 29 Business
36
Turn right onto SR 638
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Highwayview Road
37
Turn left
88 ft
·
6 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.8 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Motley, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alexandria, VA
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Alexandria, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 29 for about 60.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.8 mi from Alexandria, VA · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.8 miles from Alexandria, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.2 miles.
Arriving in Motley, VA
The final approach into Motley, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Motley, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.14 one way
$64.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.14 | $70.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.03 | $76.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.37 | $90.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.58 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.77 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Motley, VA
Late night in Motley on Friday
Local time
12:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, I 95, Wards Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.8 miles from Alexandria, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 205.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Motley, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
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