Origin
Ashburn, VA
Late night in Ashburn on Friday
Local time
2:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashburn, VA to Richmond, VA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
117.4 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
53 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashburn, VA
Curtis Adams
Trip Overview
Driving from Ashburn to Richmond covers 117.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. This highway-focused route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the journey, which keeps this trip budget-friendly for most travelers. You will navigate through Northern Virginia before heading further into the Southeast region, transitioning from suburban corridors to the state capital. Because the drive is straightforward, it serves as a highly practical connection between these two Virginia hubs.
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
58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway driving, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will begin by navigating local paths like Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway before merging onto I-95 for the bulk of your travel. Be prepared for a significant 81.8-mile stretch on I-95, which stands as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The personality of the road shifts from the dense, suburban traffic patterns near Ashburn to the more consistent pace of the interstate. Overall, the experience is functional and direct, prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 81.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
431 ft
66 ft
Total Climb
462 ft
Total Descent
542 ft
Highest Point
431 ft
~16.8 mi in
Elevation Range
365 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Ox Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 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 21 significant decision points across 117.4 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.5 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
8
11.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
12 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
6
15.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
7
115.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
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 Ashburn, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfax along the way.
Fairfax
11.5 mi in
|
~18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 81.8 mi | 1h 32m |
| Ox Road | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| Fairfax County Parkway | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Sully Road | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Route 50 | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Waxpool Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Farmwell Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Ashburn Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashburn, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 641
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ashburn Road
2
Turn left onto SR 625
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Farmwell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on SR 625
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Waxpool Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport
5
Merge onto VA 28
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Route 50
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
14
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Ox Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Gordon Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
17
Merge onto I 95
26 mi
·
30 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
22
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
23
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
24
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Monument Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
26
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this 117.4-mile trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the worst of the regional congestion. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the 2-hour and 32-minute duration and keep your focus sharp. Given the heavy reliance on I-95, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports, as this corridor is known for sudden delays that can impact your arrival time. You should budget $19 for fuel, but filling up before hitting the interstate may help you avoid higher service station prices. Since you only need one stop, choose a location mid-way through your I-95 stretch to maximize your driving momentum.
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 58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 80 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 6m
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 Ashburn, 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 Ashburn, VA
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ashburn, 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 95 for about 81.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.7 mi from Ashburn, VA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.8 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Richmond, 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
$18.36 one way
$36.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.07 | $40.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
53 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Richmond, Virginia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Richmond, Virginia
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Richmond, Virginia
Electrify America
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 23
Other: 11
Tesla Destination: 8
Blink: 6
EVgo: 2
Electrify America: 1
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Richmond, VA
Late night in Richmond on Friday
Local time
2:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Washington, DC
59 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
3 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 32m 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 Ashburn, VA to Richmond, VA covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Ox Road, Fairfax County Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.36 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 21 significant decision points across 117.4 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ashburn, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfax along the way.
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