The drive from Belmont, VA to Richmond, VA covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Ox Road, Fairfax County Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.8 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.86 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
60.3 miles from Belmont, 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 35m. Total distance: 120.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 35m highway drive covering 120.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Ox Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 81.8 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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.
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 9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 120.6 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
9 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville
7
9.4 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 28 South: Centreville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 28 South: Centreville
7
14.7 mi into trip|~21m 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
14.9 mi into trip|~21m 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
15.2 mi into trip|~22m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belmont, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Centreville and Fairfax.
Centreville
9 mi in|~12m
Fairfax
14.7 mi in|~21m
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
Dulles Greenway
6.1 mi
7m
Sully Road
4.6 mi
6m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
Belmont Ridge Road
2.4 mi
4m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmont, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 659
300 ft·10 sec·Belmont Ridge Road
2
Continue on SR 659
2.3 mi·4 min·Belmont Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 267 Toll East: Washington
4
Merge onto VA 267
6.1 mi·7 min·Dulles Greenway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 9AToward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, CentrevilleUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 South: CentrevilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto VA 28
4.6 mi·6 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
16
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
19
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
24
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
25
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
26
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
28
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 60.3 miles from Belmont, 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 27 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 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 8m
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 Belmont, 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 Belmont, VA
This is one driving day of about 120.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Belmont, 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 60.3 mi from Belmont, VA
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from Belmont, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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!
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
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 120.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.86 one way
$37.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.62
$41.24
premium
$4.70
$22.32
$44.64
diesel
$5.61
$26.63
$53.25
Estimated Tolls: $1.53
Dulles Greenway
(6.1 mi)$1.53
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
$19
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.55
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.88
$7.72
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Belmont, VA
Morning
in Belmont on Friday
Local time
10:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Friday
Local time
10:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Woodbridge, VA
60 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
36 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 35m 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 Belmont, VA to Richmond, VA covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 35m 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 60.3 miles from Belmont, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.86 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 24 significant decision points across 120.6 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Belmont, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Centreville and Fairfax.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park 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.
