The drive from Bedford, VA to Richmond, VA covers 134.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 460 BUS, Anderson Highway, VA 24 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.3 miles on US 460 BUS.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.97 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.1 miles from Bedford, 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 55m. Total distance: 134.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Bedford, VA to Richmond, VA covers 134.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m, 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 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 460 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 41.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near US 460 BUS.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 134.1 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 1.4 miles (US 460 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|US 460 BUS
Take the ramp onto US 460 BUS toward US 460 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 460 East
6
115 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
131.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|VA 146
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|Idlewood Avenue
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
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 Bedford, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.
Appomattox
42.6 mi in|~55m|via VA 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460 BUS
41.3 mi
53m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
VA 24
18.9 mi
21m
Powhite Parkway
11.5 mi
15m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
West James Anderson Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Old Hundred Road
5.1 mi
8m
East Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 460 BUS
— 41.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on US 460 BUS; VA 43; VA 122 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto US 460 BUS
41 mi·53 min·US 460 BUS
Toward US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
3
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·21 sec·VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
4
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi·21 min·VA 24
5
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
6
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
7
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
8
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Midlothian Turnpike
9
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi·3 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft·5 sec·Old Hundred Road
11
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi·4 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.4 mi·36 sec·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Maplewood AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
230 ft·5 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue
17
Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Maplewood Avenue
18
At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Sheppard Street
19
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Idlewood Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Robinson Street
305 ft·11 sec·South Robinson Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Grayland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Grayland Avenue
22
Turn left onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
25
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.1 miles from Bedford, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 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 19m
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, VA
This is one driving day of about 134.1 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Bedford, 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 US 460 BUS for about 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.1 mi from Bedford, VA
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Bedford, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 124.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.97 one way
$41.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.93
$45.86
premium
$4.70
$24.82
$49.64
diesel
$5.61
$29.61
$59.22
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.07
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
$21
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.2
0
$14.08
$6.44
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.73
$5.36
EV Truck/SUV
53.6
0
$18.77
$8.58
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Bedford, VA
Afternoon
in Bedford on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Richmond, VA
Afternoon
in Richmond on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 9:43AM EDT until April 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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 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 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bedford, VA to Richmond, VA covers 134.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 460 BUS, Anderson Highway, VA 24. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.1 miles from Bedford, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.97 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 16 significant decision points across 134.1 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 1.4 miles (US 460 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bedford, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
