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Trip from Annandale, VA to Richmond, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

97.8 mi

157 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m

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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census designated place in Virginia, United Stetes

Annandale, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Annandale, VA to Richmond, VA covers 97.8 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Backlick Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.7 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.25 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

48.9 miles from Annandale, VA

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 97.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Annandale, VA to Richmond, VA covers 97.8 miles and takes about 1h 58m, 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 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 617 / Backlick Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 617 / Backlick Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (SR 648 / Edsall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 617 / Backlick Road

Turn right onto SR 617 / Backlick Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | SR 648 / Edsall Road

Turn left onto SR 648 / Edsall Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
3.2 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
40 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
95.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 55.7 mi 1h 2m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway 36.9 mi 43m
Backlick Road 1.7 mi 3m
Edsall Road 1.1 mi 2m
Hermitage Road 1.1 mi 2m
North Meadow Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Robin Hood Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 55.7 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Annandale, VA and Richmond, VA.

1

Start on VA 236

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Little River Turnpike
2

Turn right onto SR 617

1.7 mi · 3 min · Backlick Road
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto SR 648

1.1 mi · 2 min · Edsall Road
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
5

Merge onto I 395

0.6 mi · 45 sec · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 395

36 mi · 43 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 1A Toward I 95 South: Richmond Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

56 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 95
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec
Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
10

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Robin Hood Road
11

Turn right onto Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road
12

Continue on North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Meadow Street
13

Turn left onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
14

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
15

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

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 48.9 miles from Annandale, VA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 22 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.9 miles or 1h 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Annandale, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Annandale, VA

This is one driving day of about 97.8 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Annandale, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 55.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 48.9 mi from Annandale, VA · 1h into the drive

census designated place in Stafford County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aquia Harbour, VA

49 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

Woodbridge, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fredericksburg, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from Annandale, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Richmond, VA

The final approach into Richmond, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Angela's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.9

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15405825250

Visit website

Himalayan Heritage Restaurant & Bar VA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fredericksburg, Virginia

0.8 mi

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1.2 mi

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1 mi

Angela's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.9

Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15405825250

Visit website

Himalayan Heritage Restaurant & Bar VA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 48.9

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 10:30 am–9:30 pm

+15409934252

Visit website

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 48.9

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+15407107025

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18046491042

Visit website

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+18043531609

Visit website

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18043555282

Visit website

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18043401580

Visit website

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18048161419

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Visit website

Dubai Girls Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.8

Glen Allen, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18044001505

Curitiba Art Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 41.9

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

Visit website

Merge Cafe (Stafford)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28

Stafford, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+15404264142

Visit website

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv mile 90.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+18045916191

Visit website

Cameron Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17032128211

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18046449871

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

+18047888000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Virginia Welcome Center at Fredericksburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 41.9

Fredericksburg, VA

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+15407868344

Visit website

2 stars hotel

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 69.9

Ruther Glen, Virginia

Flight Adventure Park Springfield

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 7

Springfield, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17036632440

Visit website

Science Museum of Virginia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+18048641400

Visit website

Fredericksburg Nationals

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 41.9

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15408584242

Visit website

Rage RVA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 1–8 pm

+18043093410

Visit website

The Cask Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.8

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–9 pm

+18043552402

Visit website

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Annandale, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17039411065

Visit website

River Mill Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 14

Occoquan Historic District, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17034901918

Visit website

Halls of Hysteria Haunted Attraction

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 41.9

Fredericksburg, Virginia

+15402264261

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 97.8
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.25 one way

$30.50 round trip

$3.96/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $17.05 $34.11
premium $4.78 $18.40 $36.79
diesel $5.62 $21.65 $43.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.3 0 $10.27 $4.69
Efficient EV 24.5 0 $8.56 $3.91
EV Truck/SUV 39.1 0 $13.69 $6.26

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Annandale, VA

Evening in Annandale on Friday

Local time

5:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Evening in Richmond on Friday

Local time

5:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°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

5 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

1h 58m 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 Annandale, VA to Richmond, VA covers 97.8 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Backlick Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 48.9 miles from Annandale, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.25 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 617 / Backlick Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (SR 648 / Edsall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Annandale, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Richmond, VA to Annandale, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

98.5 mi 1h 58m

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