Origin
Arlington, VA
Night in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, VA to Bracey, VA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
193.3 mi
311 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, VA
Dominik Gryzbon
Bracey, VA
Andrea Piacquadio
Trip Overview
Heading from Arlington, VA, to Bracey, VA, you're looking at a drive of about 193 miles, which should take you around 3 hours and 48 minutes. This trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure, and with a projected fuel cost of $30, it's quite budget-friendly. The majority of your journey, 76% to be exact, will be on major highways, making for a straightforward trip through the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, offering a direct path with minimal detours.
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
96.7 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 193.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 76% of it dedicated to interstates and major turnpikes. You can expect long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 88.2 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. While the highway nature ensures efficiency, it means the scenery will largely consist of the typical roadside environment found along major thoroughfares. The drive is designed for covering distance, so prepare for a consistent pace for most of the 3-hour-and-48-minute journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 88.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 193.3 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
8
3.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395 South: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
6
45.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
104.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 88.2 mi | 1h 40m |
| I 95 | 58.4 mi | 1h 5m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 42.2 mi | 50m |
| North Glebe Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| SR 903 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Oakland Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Bracey Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Pershing Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 88.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Bracey, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
90 ft
·
8 sec
·
Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Oakland Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Oakland Street
3
Turn right onto North Pershing Drive
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pershing Drive
4
Turn left onto VA 120
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
North Glebe Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
6
Keep slight left at fork
315 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond, Quaker Lane
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 395 South: Richmond
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 395
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
58 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
64 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Exit 51
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward SR 903: Bracey, Lake Gaston
14
Turn left onto SR 903
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 903
15
Continue on Bracey Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Bracey Drive
16
Arrive at destination
Bracey Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 193-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to bypass potential rush hour traffic, especially around the I-95 corridor. With a duration under four hours and a fuel cost around $30, this trip allows for flexibility; you can stop whenever you need a break. The longest stretch without a major road change is 88.2 miles, so plan your rest stop accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the southern end of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out on major highways.
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 96.7 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.2 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.7 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bracey, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, 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 Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 193.3 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Arlington, 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 88.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.7 mi from Arlington, VA · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.7 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.2 miles.
Arriving in Bracey, VA
The final approach into Bracey, 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 Bracey, 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
$30.23 one way
$60.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.05 | $66.10 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.78 | $71.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.68 | $85.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.18
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(64.2 mi)
$4.50
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(24 mi)
$1.68
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58 | 0 | $20.30 | $9.28 |
| Efficient EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.91 | $7.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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
Bracey, VA
Night in Bracey on Thursday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°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
35 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
3h 48m 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 Arlington, VA to Bracey, VA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.7 miles from Arlington, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.23 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 193.3 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, VA to Bracey, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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