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Trip from Alexandria, VA to Verona, VA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

154.7 mi

249 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m

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

Downtown Alexandria, VA, VA

Alexandria, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Verona, VA, VA

Verona, VA

Stef Nie

Trip Overview

This 154.7-mile drive from Alexandria, VA to Verona, VA takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. The journey primarily utilizes I-81, I-66, and the Capital Beltway, with a high 88% highway share. You'll spend about $24 on fuel for this route, which is located entirely within the Southeast region. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward highway focus, this trip is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.3 miles from Alexandria, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 154.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 154.7-mile journey, with 88% of the route on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.3 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace. While the route is predominantly high-speed highway, it remains a practical and efficient way to travel between Alexandria and Verona. The road character is consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 72.3 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.

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 19 significant decision points across 154.7 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 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These 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 495 / Capital Beltway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
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
8
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

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 Verona, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Front Royal along the way.

Front Royal

15.4 mi in | ~22m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 72.3 mi 1h 18m
I 66 64.2 mi 1h 12m
Capital Beltway 8.8 mi 10m
Capital Beltway (Local) 5 mi 6m
Laurel Hill Road 0.8 mi 1m
South Washington Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Patrick Street 0.2 mi <1m
Gibbon Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 72.3 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Verona, 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 right at fork onto I 495

0.7 mi · 47 sec · Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
12

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.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 49B Toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 66

64 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward I 81 South: Roanoke Use the straight lane.
17

Merge onto I 81

72 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward SR 612: Verona
19

Keep slight right at fork

228 ft · 5 sec
20

Turn straight onto SR 612

0.8 mi · 1 min · Laurel Hill Road
21

Turn left onto Lee Highway

325 ft · 41 sec · Lee Highway
22

Continue on US 11

209 ft · 3 sec · Lee Highway
23

Arrive at destination

US 11

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 59 minute drive, leaving early can help you avoid potential traffic around the Capital Beltway. With only one planned stop suggested and a fuel cost of around $24, this trip is easy to manage. The longest stretch without a major exit is 72.3 miles on I-81, so ensure you're fueled up before beginning that segment. Since it's a straightforward, highway-focused route, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.3 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.3 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 34 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.3 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Verona, 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 154.7 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 I 81 for about 72.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 77.3 mi from Alexandria, VA · 1h 32m into the drive

town in Warren County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Front Royal, VA

77 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

Manassas, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stephens City, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.3 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 72.3 miles.

Arriving in Verona, VA

The final approach into Verona, 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 Verona, 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

$24.19 one way

$48.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $26.45 $52.90
premium $4.70 $28.63 $57.26
diesel $5.61 $34.16 $68.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.4 0 $16.24 $7.43
Efficient EV 38.7 0 $13.54 $6.19
EV Truck/SUV 61.9 0 $21.66 $9.90

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, VA

Night in Alexandria on Thursday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Verona, VA

Night in Verona on Thursday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°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

28 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

2h 59m 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 Verona, VA covers 154.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 66, Capital Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.3 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 $24.19 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 154.7 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 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Verona, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Front Royal along the way.

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