Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon in Alexandria on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, VA to Tappahannock, VA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
87.5 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Tappahannock, VA
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Trip Overview
This 87.5-mile drive from Alexandria, VA, to Tappahannock, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate primarily along the Tidewater Trail, Crain Highway, and James Madison Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Southeast region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a high-speed transit. It's perfect for a relaxed day out, allowing you to appreciate the local scenery without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 87.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 87.5-mile journey, with only 19% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.8 miles along the Tidewater Trail. This means you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through local roads for a significant portion of your trip. The character of the drive shifts as you move, offering a varied experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. It's less about speed and more about the journey through diverse local landscapes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tidewater Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 25.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
210 ft
12 ft
Total Climb
462 ft
Total Descent
477 ft
Highest Point
210 ft
~18.7 mi in
Elevation Range
198 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 87.5 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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...
7
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 495 West: Baltimore, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 49...
9
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
7
4.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 210 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 210 South
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 Tappahannock, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Newport News along the way.
Newport News
60.7 mi in
|
~1h 33m
|
via US 17
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Trail | 25.8 mi | 32m |
| Crain Highway | 17.7 mi | 25m |
| James Madison Parkway | 17.1 mi | 23m |
| Indian Head Highway | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Middletown Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Berry Road | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Turkey Hill Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Tidewater Trail
— 25.8 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Tappahannock, 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 left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 495 West: Baltimore, Richmond
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: National Harbor
12
Merge onto I 95; I 495
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 3A
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
Exit 3A
Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MD 210 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto MD 210
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Indian Head Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on MD 228
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Berry Road
18
Turn right onto Middletown Road
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Middletown Road
Use the right lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto Middletown Road
114 ft
·
2 sec
·
Middletown Road
20
Continue on Middletown Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Middletown Road
21
Continue on Turkey Hill Road
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Turkey Hill Road
22
Merge onto US 301
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Crain Highway
23
Continue on US 301
17 mi
·
23 min
·
James Madison Parkway
24
Continue on US 301
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Madison Memorial Bridge
25
Continue on US 301
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
A.P. Hill Boulevard
26
Turn left onto US 17
26 mi
·
32 min
·
Tidewater Trail
Toward Newport News
27
Continue on US 17
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Church Lane
28
Continue on US 17; US 360
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Tappahannock Boulevard
29
Arrive at destination
1 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 17; US 360
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and local road focus, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Tappahannock with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops, plan to fuel up before you leave Alexandria to ensure you have enough for the 87.5 miles, especially with the estimated $14 fuel cost. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns, as they are a defining characteristic of this route. The longest stretch without a turn is 25.8 miles, so be prepared for navigational adjustments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.8 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 19 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tappahannock, 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 87.5 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Alexandria, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tidewater Trail for about 25.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.7 mi from Alexandria, VA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tappahannock, VA
The final approach into Tappahannock, 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 Tappahannock, 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
$13.68 one way
$27.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.96 | $29.92 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.19 | $32.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.32 | $38.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.19 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Tappahannock, VA
Afternoon in Tappahannock on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
La Plata, MD
44 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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Tappahannock, VA covers 87.5 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tidewater Trail, Crain Highway, James Madison Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.7 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 $13.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 87.5 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Tappahannock, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Newport News along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 12 ft to 210 ft elevation with about 462 ft of total climbing.
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