Trip from Alexandria, VA to Richlands, VA

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

7h 15m

Distance

379.8 mi

611 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

7h 4m ★

6 AM

7h 15m

8 AM

7h 37m

10 AM

7h 23m

12 PM

7h 21m

3 PM

7h 24m

5 PM

7h 36m

8 PM

7h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Alexandria, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Richlands, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 379.8-mile drive from Alexandria, VA to Richlands, VA is a substantial one-day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 15 minutes. The route is heavily focused on interstate highways, with 84% of the journey on major roads like I-81, I-66, and I-77. You can expect a fuel cost of around $59 for this trip. While it's doable in a single day, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience throughout. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

189.9 miles from Alexandria, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is primarily a highway-focused drive, covering 84% of its 379.8 miles on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 225.8 miles. While the interstates offer efficiency, be prepared for a consistent pace rather than winding scenic byways. The route's character remains largely highway-centric from start to finish, so plan for steady driving conditions. This means efficient travel, but also a focus on maintaining speed and managing your time on the road.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 225.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 379.8 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 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 28 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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...

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

15.4 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal

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. Exit 49B Toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal

80.5 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 1A Toward I 81 South: Roanoke

308.2 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in | I 77

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va.

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 Richlands, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston W. Va. along the way.

Charleston W. Va.

308.2 mi in | ~5h 46m | via I 77

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	225.8 mi	4h 7m
I 66	64.2 mi	1h 12m
I 77	28.4 mi	31m
Governor G C Peery Highway	27.2 mi	34m
Big Laurel Highway	9.9 mi	11m
Capital Beltway	8.8 mi	10m
Capital Beltway (Local)	5 mi	6m
John Nash Boulevard	2.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 225.8 mi, about 4h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Richlands, VA.

Start on VA 400

75 ft · 6 sec · South Washington Street

Turn right onto King Street

314 ft · 14 sec · King Street

Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street

Turn right onto Duke Street

334 ft · 18 sec · Duke Street

Turn left onto VA 400

0.2 mi · 50 sec · South Washington Street

Turn right onto Gibbon Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Gibbon Street

Turn left onto US 1

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South Patrick Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95 South, I 495 West Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 95; I 495

5.0 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

0.7 mi · 47 sec · Capital Beltway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 495

2.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway

Exit 170A Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 49B Toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 66

64 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 66

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 1A Toward I 81 South: Roanoke Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

109 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Roanoke

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

117 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

27 mi · 30 min · I 77

Toward I 77 North: Bluefield, Charleston W. Va. Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 1 min · US 52

Exit 1 Toward US 52 North: Bluefield

Turn right onto US 52

2.5 mi · 2 min · John Nash Boulevard

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 37 sec · US 52

Toward US 460 West: Bluefield

Merge onto US 52; US 460; US 52 Truck

9.9 mi · 11 min · Big Laurel Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 19; US 460

27 mi · 34 min · Governor G C Peery Highway

Take the exit onto US 460

386 ft · 10 sec · US 460

Merge onto US 460

2.4 mi · 4 min · Governor George C Peery Highway

Take the exit

156 ft · 4 sec

Toward US 460 BUS: Cedar Bluff, Richlands

Turn right onto SR F608

0.1 mi · 12 sec · SR F608

At end of road, turn right onto US 460 BUS

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Cedar Valley Drive

Continue on US 460 BUS

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Front Street

Turn left onto Virginia Avenue

88 ft · 2 sec · Virginia Avenue

Arrive at destination

Virginia Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 15-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Alexandria to avoid potential traffic. With 379.8 miles ahead, planning for your two stops strategically will be key; consider using them for fuel and a meal break. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 225 miles on I-81, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your speed and rest is important for a safe journey to Richlands.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 189.9 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.8 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 84 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 189.9 miles or 3h 35m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alexandria, VA

This is one driving day of about 379.8 miles and 7h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Alexandria, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 225.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 189.9 mi from Alexandria, VA · 3h 35m into the drive

town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

190 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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 189.9 miles from Alexandria, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225.8 miles.

Arriving in Richlands, VA

The final approach into Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.39 one way

$118.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$64.94	$129.88
premium	$4.70	$70.29	$140.59
diesel	$5.61	$83.86	$167.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	113.9	1	$39.88	$18.23
Efficient EV	95	1	$33.23	$15.19
EV Truck/SUV	151.9	1	$53.17	$24.31

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Alexandria, VA

Night in Alexandria on Tuesday

Local time

11:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richlands, VA

Night in Richlands on Tuesday

Local time

11:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Oakland, MD

190 mi in

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

8 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

7h 15m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Richlands, VA covers 379.8 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 66, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 189.9 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 $59.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Richlands, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston W. Va. along the way.

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Trip from Alexandria, VA to Richlands, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Richlands, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alexandria, VA

Richlands, VA

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 15m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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