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Create accountDrive Time
2h 56m
Distance
157.7 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buchanan, VA
Photography Maghradze PH
The drive from Buchanan, VA to Richmond, VA covers 157.7 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, US 11, West Broad Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.6 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.24 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
78.9 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 157.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and US 11. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.6 miles on I 64.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 11. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 55.2 miles in near I 64.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.7 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 55.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 99.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| US 11 | 53.5 mi | 57m |
| West Broad Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Beltline Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Lee Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Hamilton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Allen Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, VA and Richmond, VA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto US 11
Continue on US 11
Take the ramp onto US 11
Continue on I 64; I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 195
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Arrive at destination
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 26m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA
This is one driving day of about 157.7 miles and 2h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.9 mi from Buchanan, VA · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from Buchanan, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$25.24 one way
$50.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $27.50 | $55.00 |
| premium | $4.78 | $29.66 | $59.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.04 | $70.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.56 | $7.57 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.08 | $10.09 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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