This 31.3-mile drive from Buckhall, VA to Alexandria, VA is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 46 minutes, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $5, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Southeast region of Virginia. The route primarily utilizes major roads like I-95 and Prince William Parkway, suggesting a smooth and efficient travel experience. Given its short distance and focused profile, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
15.7 miles from Buckhall, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 24m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a drive that is heavily influenced by highway travel, with 69% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.3 miles on I-95, offering a period of consistent momentum. While the route utilizes main arteries like Prince William Parkway and Old Bridge Road, the overall character is highway-centric, prioritizing directness over scenic detours. This means you'll likely experience a more functional drive, designed for efficient transit between your starting point in Buckhall and your destination in Alexandria.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 14.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Prince William Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near VA 294 / Prince William Parkway.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31.3 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 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 294 / Prince William Parkway
Turn right onto VA 294 / Prince William Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~32m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
27.7 mi into trip|~39m in|I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
29.7 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
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 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
6
29.9 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
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 Buckhall, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Belvoir along the way.
Fort Belvoir
29.7 mi in|~42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
14.3 mi
17m
Prince William Parkway
7.4 mi
10m
Old Bridge Road
5 mi
8m
Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi
2m
South Washington Street
0.5 mi
1m
Gordon Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
South Patrick Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Moore Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 14.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckhall, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on SR 662
0.2 mi·44 sec·Moore Drive
2
Turn right onto VA 294
7.4 mi·10 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left / uturn lanes.
3
Continue on SR 641
5.0 mi·8 min·Old Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto VA 123
0.5 mi·57 sec·Gordon Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington
6
Merge onto I 95
8.7 mi·10 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi·7 min·I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: BaltimoreUse the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
11
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
12
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
13
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
With a duration of under an hour and no recommended stops, this route offers significant flexibility. Consider departing during off-peak hours to minimize potential traffic delays, especially if your journey involves segments on I-95. The estimated fuel cost of just $5 means you can likely complete the trip without needing a fuel stop, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on your GPS for the best lane choices as you transition between I-95 and local roads like Prince William Parkway to maintain smooth progress towards Alexandria.
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 15.7 miles from Buckhall, VA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.3 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 31.3 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.7 miles or 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buckhall, 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 Buckhall, VA
This is one driving day of about 31.3 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buckhall, 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 14.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.7 mi from Buckhall, VA
· 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Buckhall, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, 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!
29 mi from route
~73 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)
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.89 one way
$9.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg11 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$5.35
$10.70
premium
$4.70
$5.79
$11.59
diesel
$5.61
$6.91
$13.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
9.4
0
$3.29
$1.50
Efficient EV
7.8
0
$2.74
$1.25
EV Truck/SUV
12.5
0
$4.38
$2.00
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago
Origin
Buckhall, VA
Morning
in Buckhall on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Washington, DC
16 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
16 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
46m 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 Buckhall, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 31.3 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Prince William Parkway, Old Bridge Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.7 miles from Buckhall, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.89 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31.3 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 0.2 miles (VA 294 / Prince William Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Buckhall, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Belvoir along the way.
