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Trip from Dumfries, VA to Richmond, VA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

76.2 mi

123 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 24m ★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m

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

town in Prince William County, Virginia

Dumfries, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Dumfries to Richmond, this 76.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the Southeast region of Virginia. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a total estimated fuel cost of just $12, the route is as budget-friendly as it is convenient. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-95, transitioning to local roads like Hermitage Road and Main Street as you approach the city center. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to easily complete the trip in a single afternoon or morning.

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

38.1 miles from Dumfries, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will spend the bulk of your time on a long, 71.5-mile stretch of I-95, which defines the personality of this drive as a consistent, fast-paced commute. Expect a standard interstate experience where you can maintain steady speeds for most of the duration. As you transition off the highway into Richmond, the character shifts from the high-speed flow of I-95 to the slower, more urban pace of Hermitage Road and Main Street. It is a functional, direct route designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently rather than a meandering scenic tour.

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 71.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Hermitage Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near SR 619 / Joplin Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (SR 619 / Joplin Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

4
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | SR 619 / Joplin Road

Turn right onto SR 619 / Joplin Road

Navigation decision point

5
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
18.4 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
74.2 mi into trip | ~1h 26m 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
76.2 mi into trip | ~1h 31m 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 71.5 mi 1h 20m
Hermitage Road 1.1 mi 2m
Main Street 1.1 mi 2m
Joplin Road 0.6 mi 1m
Richmond Highway 0.5 mi 1m
North Meadow Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Robin Hood Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 71.5 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Liberty Lane

180 ft · 9 sec · Liberty Lane
2

Turn right onto US 1

1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
3

Continue on US 1

0.5 mi · 1 min · Richmond Highway
4

Turn right onto SR 619

0.6 mi · 1 min · Joplin Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec
6

Merge onto I 95

16 mi · 18 min · I 95
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

56 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 95
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec
Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
10

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Robin Hood Road
11

Turn right onto Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road
12

Continue on North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Meadow Street
13

Turn left onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
14

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
15

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

Since this route relies so heavily on I-95, planning your departure around peak traffic hours is the smartest way to ensure you hit that 1-hour and 31-minute travel time. You won’t need to worry about scheduling formal stops given the short distance, which gives you the freedom to drive straight through without interruption. Keep your fuel gauge in check before you head out, though the $12 estimate makes it easy to factor into your travel budget. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on navigation apps as you approach the Richmond city limits, as the transition from the interstate to Main Street can involve multiple turns that require quick lane changes.

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 38.1 miles from Dumfries, VA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 17 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.1 miles or 45m 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 15m

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 Dumfries, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dumfries, VA

This is one driving day of about 76.2 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Dumfries, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 71.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.1 mi from Dumfries, VA · 45m into the drive

town in Virginia

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bowling Green, VA

38 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.

Popular next leg

Bowling Green, VA to Richmond, VA

39.4 mi · 51m

Pacing Suggestions

Stafford, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bowling Green, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from Dumfries, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.92 one way

$23.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $13.03 $26.06
premium $4.70 $14.10 $28.21
diesel $5.61 $16.82 $33.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 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 22.9 0 $8.00 $3.66
Efficient EV 19.1 0 $6.67 $3.05
EV Truck/SUV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dumfries, VA

Late night in Dumfries on Thursday

Local time

1:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Late night in Richmond on Thursday

Local time

1:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Bowling Green, VA

38 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

22 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

1h 31m 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 Dumfries, VA to Richmond, VA covers 76.2 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Hermitage Road, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.1 miles from Dumfries, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.92 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (SR 619 / Joplin Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dumfries, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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