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Trip from Carrollton, VA to Richmond, VA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 41m

Distance

78.3 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 34m ★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Carrollton, VA, VA

Carrollton, VA

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Carrollton, VA to Richmond, VA covers 78.3 miles and takes about 1h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.24 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

39.1 miles from Carrollton, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 41m drive with frequent turns across 78.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 78.3 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 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
62.2 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: Richmond

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 95 North: Richmond
7
75 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 74A Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway
7
77 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street
8
77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Meadow Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Meadow Street
5
78.3 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | Marcus-David Peters Circle

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
James River Drive 14.6 mi 19m
Colonial Trail West 13.3 mi 15m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike 12.5 mi 15m
Benns Church Boulevard 12.1 mi 15m
Colonial Trail East 9.9 mi 11m
East Hundred Road 6.6 mi 9m
East Randolph Road 2.9 mi 4m
Downtown Expressway 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: James River Drive — 14.6 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, VA and Richmond, VA.

1

Start on SR 670

178 ft · 4 sec · Norsworthy Drive
2

Turn left onto SR 665

0.8 mi · 1 min · Reynolds Drive
3

Turn right onto US 258; VA 32

0.9 mi · 1 min · Brewers Neck Boulevard
4

Merge onto US 258; VA 10

12 mi · 15 min · Benns Church Boulevard
5

Continue on VA 10

9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East
6

Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rolfe Highway
7

Turn right onto VA 10

13 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West
8

Continue on VA 10

15 mi · 19 min · James River Drive
9

Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road
10

Continue on VA 10

6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Richmond Use the right lane.
12

Merge onto I 95

12 mi · 15 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 74A Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on VA 195

1.6 mi · 2 min · Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on this road

373 ft · 9 sec · this road
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward Meadow Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto South Meadow Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Meadow Street
19

Turn right onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Monument Avenue
20

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
21

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.1 miles from Carrollton, VA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 78.3 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.1 miles or 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 25m

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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, VA

This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carrollton, 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 James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.1 mi from Carrollton, VA · 48m into the drive

Downtown Middletown, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

39 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Carrollton, 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.

Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour $15 near mile 16.2
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 62.1
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.24 one way

$24.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $13.39 $26.78
premium $4.70 $14.49 $28.98
diesel $5.61 $17.29 $34.58

Estimated Tolls: $0.87

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (12.5 mi) $0.87

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

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.5 0 $8.22 $3.76
Efficient EV 19.6 0 $6.85 $3.13
EV Truck/SUV 31.3 0 $10.96 $5.01

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Carrollton, VA

Night in Carrollton on Tuesday

Local time

10:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Tuesday

Local time

10:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

39 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

20 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

1h 41m 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 Carrollton, VA to Richmond, VA covers 78.3 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.1 miles from Carrollton, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.24 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 13 significant decision points across 78.3 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 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Carrollton, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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