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Create accountDrive Time
4h 36m
Distance
243.9 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Bluff, VA
Jon Eliya
Alexandria, VA
Jimmy Elizarraras
The drive from Cedar Bluff, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 243.9 miles and takes about 4h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 66, US 220 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 143.6 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
This is a 4h 36m highway drive covering 243.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 143.6 miles on I 81.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
567 ft
Total Descent
1,164 ft
Highest Point
1,473 ft
~81.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,102 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 243.9 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
On the drive from Cedar Bluff, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 143.6 mi | 2h 35m |
| I 66 | 64.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 220 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Capital Beltway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| I 581 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Patrick Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, VA and Alexandria, VA.
Start on 5th Street Southeast
Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
Turn left onto VA 24
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 581; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
Continue on I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Continue on I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Turn left onto VA 400
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, VA
This is one driving day of about 243.9 miles and 4h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122 mi from Cedar Bluff, VA · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 122 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$39.03 one way
$78.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $42.53 | $85.06 |
| premium | $4.78 | $45.88 | $91.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.19 | $108.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.61 | $11.71 |
| Efficient EV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.15 | $15.61 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Afternoon in Cedar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
4:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
4:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
61°F
Cumberland, MD
122 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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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