Origin
Ashland, VA
Evening in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, VA to Richmond, VA
Drive Time
24m
Distance
16.5 mi
26 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, VA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Ashland to Richmond, you are in for a quick 16.5-mile journey that typically takes about 24 minutes. This straightforward trip stays entirely within the Southeast region of Virginia, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-95, along with portions of Hermitage Road and England Street, to complete your transit. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly commute or weekend excursion. Because the route is so compact, it offers maximum flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the need for planned stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.2 miles from Ashland, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 13.2 miles on I-95, which serves as the backbone of this short drive. While the interstate provides a fast, efficient path, transitioning onto England Street and Hermitage Road shifts the pace as you approach your destination. The transition from the highway to local roads creates a distinct change in the driving rhythm, moving you from high-speed transit into the city environment. You will find this to be a functional, utilitarian route designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 13.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Hermitage Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 54 / England Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 54 / England Street
Turn sharp left onto VA 54 / England Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Richmond
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
14.4 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
5
14.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| England Street | 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 |
| Monument Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Marcus-David Peters Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 13.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto VA 54
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
England Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 95
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
8
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
9
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
10
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Monument Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
12
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 24-minute drive, you have the advantage of complete scheduling freedom, so feel free to head out whenever it best suits your plans. While the route does not require any mandatory rest breaks due to its brevity, keep an eye on traffic patterns along I-95, as this segment can experience congestion. You won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops given the low $3 fuel cost, but topping off before you leave Ashland ensures you are ready to go. Use the flexibility of this short distance to your benefit by choosing departure times that avoid typical rush-hour bottlenecks. Above all, prioritize checking local traffic reports for I-95 before you pull out of your driveway to ensure your quick trip remains as efficient as possible.
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 8.2 miles from Ashland, VA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.2 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 16.5 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.2 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, VA
This is one driving day of about 16.5 miles and 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ashland, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 13.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.2 mi from Ashland, VA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.2 miles from Ashland, 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.
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
$2.64 one way
$5.28 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.88 | $5.75 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.10 | $6.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.67 | $7.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.73 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
8 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
2 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
24m 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 Ashland, VA to Richmond, VA covers 16.5 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Hermitage Road, England Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.2 miles from Ashland, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.64 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 16.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ashland, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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