Origin
Colonial Beach, VA
Evening in Colonial Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colonial Beach, VA to Richmond, VA
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
71 mi
114 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colonial Beach, VA
Sarah O'Shea
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from the riverfront charm of Colonial Beach to the bustling capital of Richmond, you are looking at a straightforward 71-mile journey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 35 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major interstates, budget roughly $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are located in the Southeast region of Virginia, you will find consistent rural-to-urban transitions throughout the drive. This is a practical route for those needing to connect the Northern Neck area directly to the state capital without any complicated detours.
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
35.5 miles from Colonial Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from smaller regional roads to the high-speed flow of the interstate. You will spend about 46% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch being a 25.9-mile segment on I-95. The experience begins on local routes like A.P. Hill Boulevard and Rogers Clark Boulevard before merging into the heavier traffic patterns of the main interstate corridor. Be prepared for the shift in pace as you move from secondary roads into the multi-lane highway environment. It is a functional drive that balances lower-speed local navigation with the necessity of highway travel to reach Richmond efficiently.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 25.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in near US 301 BUS / East Broaddus Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 35m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 31.1 miles (US 301 BUS / East Broaddus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
31.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 301 BUS / East Broaddus Avenue
Turn right onto US 301 BUS / East Broaddus Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
43.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
5
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 25.9 mi | 29m |
| A.P. Hill Boulevard | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Rogers Clark Boulevard | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| Ridge Road | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| James Madison Parkway | 7 mi | 9m |
| McKinney Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| East Broaddus Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 25.9 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Beach, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
32 ft
·
7 sec
·
Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto VA 205Y
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonial Avenue
3
Turn right onto VA 205
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
McKinney Boulevard
4
Continue on VA 205
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Ridge Road
5
Turn left onto US 301
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
James Madison Parkway
6
Continue on US 301
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Madison Memorial Bridge
7
Continue on US 301
11 mi
·
15 min
·
A.P. Hill Boulevard
8
Turn right onto US 301 BUS
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broaddus Avenue
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on VA 207 BUS
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Rogers Clark Boulevard
10
Turn right onto VA 207
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Bowling Green Bypass
11
Continue on VA 207
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Rogers Clark Boulevard
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 95 South
13
Merge onto I 95
26 mi
·
29 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
17
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
18
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
19
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 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
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 35-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because a significant portion of the route relies on I-95, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you stay within your estimated travel duration. You will not need to plan for formal stops given the short distance, but keep your fuel budget of $11 in mind if you prefer to fill up before leaving Colonial Beach. My best advice for this route is to pay close attention to your GPS when transitioning between the local boulevards and the interstate entrance. Staying alert during those road changes will keep your commute stress-free and on schedule.
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 35.5 miles from Colonial Beach, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 71 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.5 miles or 50m 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 20m
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 Colonial Beach, 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 Colonial Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 71 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colonial Beach, 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 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.5 mi from Colonial Beach, VA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.5 miles from Colonial Beach, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.36 one way
$22.73 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.38 | $24.76 |
| premium | $4.78 | $13.36 | $26.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.77 | $31.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.21 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.94 | $4.54 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
8:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
36 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
2 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 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 Colonial Beach, VA to Richmond, VA covers 71 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, A.P. Hill Boulevard, Rogers Clark Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.5 miles from Colonial Beach, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.36 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 straightforward 1h 35m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.1 miles (US 301 BUS / East Broaddus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Colonial Beach, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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