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Trip from Dryden, VA to Richmond, VA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

7h 18m

Distance

383 mi

616 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 7m ★
6 AM
7h 18m
8 AM
7h 39m
10 AM
7h 26m
12 PM
7h 23m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 38m
8 PM
7h 12m

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 Dryden, VA, VA

Dryden, VA

Eric Joseph

Trip Overview

This 383-mile journey from Dryden, VA to Richmond, VA is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 7 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-81 and I-64, with a segment of US Highway 23, this route is heavily focused on highway travel. With a highway share of 88%, expect a straightforward drive across Virginia. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $60, and you'll have about two planned stops along the way. This drive offers a practical way to cover a significant distance within the Southeast region.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

191.5 miles from Dryden, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 88% of the drive taking place on interstates and major highways. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 222.1 miles along I-81, allowing for steady progress. The personality of the drive is largely that of efficient highway travel, connecting you between points with minimal deviation. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US Highway 23 may offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the main interstate corridors.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 222.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,306 ft 213 ft

Total Climb

1,498 ft

Total Descent

2,727 ft

Highest Point

2,306 ft

~109.4 mi in

Elevation Range

2,093 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 383 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 140.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 379.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

8
140.6 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | I 81; US 11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
280.5 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
379.8 mi into trip | ~7h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
8
380 mi into trip | ~7h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 195 South
7
380.9 mi into trip | ~7h 12m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton St...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 222.1 mi 4h 2m
I 64 99.6 mi 1h 49m
US Highway 23 15.6 mi 20m
East Stone Drive 9.7 mi 11m
Wilderness Road 6 mi 8m
Woodway Road 5.2 mi 7m
Bloomingdale Pike 5.1 mi 9m
Wadlow Gap Highway 4.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 222.1 mi, about 4h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 58 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dryden Loop
2

Turn right onto US 58 ALT

3.5 mi · 4 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
3

Continue on US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 43 sec · East Morgan Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 421

5.2 mi · 7 min · Woodway Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto US 58

6.0 mi · 8 min · Wilderness Road
6

Continue on US 58; US 421

4.7 mi · 6 min · Duff Patt Highway
7

Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421

4.2 mi · 5 min · US Highway 23
8

Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421

2.0 mi · 2 min · Orby Cantrell Highway
9

Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421

11 mi · 14 min · US Highway 23
10

Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Main Street
11

Turn left onto US 58; US 421

4.7 mi · 5 min · Wadlow Gap Highway
12

Continue on SR 93

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North John B Dennis Highway
13

Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike

5.1 mi · 9 min · Bloomingdale Pike
14

Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road

357 ft · 15 sec · Ollis Bowers Hill Road
15

Turn left onto US 11W

9.7 mi · 11 min · East Stone Drive
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
17

Merge onto I 81

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11

140 mi · 2 hr 33 min · I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on I 64; I 81

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 64; I 81
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

99 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 195 South Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on I 195

0.7 mi · 1 min · Beltline Expressway
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street Use the slight right lane.
25

Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Hamilton Street
26

Turn left onto US 33; US 250

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27

Turn right onto North Allen Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · North Allen Avenue
28

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

274 ft · 7 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
29

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 18-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Dryden to avoid potential traffic in Richmond later in the day. With two stops recommended, you can break up the 383 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 222.1 miles on I-81, where services might be spaced further apart. This drive is well-suited for a single day, so you have flexibility in when and how often you choose to rest.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.5 miles from Dryden, VA, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.1 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 84 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 191.5 miles or 3h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 8m

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 Dryden, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dryden, VA

This is one driving day of about 383 miles and 7h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Dryden, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 222.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 191.5 mi from Dryden, VA · 3h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winston-Salem, NC

192 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

Johnson City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Winston-Salem, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 191.5 miles from Dryden, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 222.1 miles.

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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 211.3
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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 383
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.89 one way

$119.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $65.49 $130.97
premium $4.70 $70.89 $141.77
diesel $5.61 $84.56 $169.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114.9 1 $40.21 $18.38
Efficient EV 95.8 1 $33.51 $15.32
EV Truck/SUV 153.2 1 $53.62 $24.51

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 3 hours ago

Origin

Dryden, VA

Night in Dryden on Tuesday

Local time

11:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Tuesday

Local time

11:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Clear

SW 3 to 12 mph 3% chance Live forecast

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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 18m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dryden, VA to Richmond, VA covers 383 miles and takes about 7h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, US Highway 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.5 miles from Dryden, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 383 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 140.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 379.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dryden, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 213 ft to 2,306 ft elevation with about 1,498 ft of total climbing.

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