Origin
Franklin, VA
Evening in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, VA to Richmond, VA
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Franklin to Richmond is a straightforward 68.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes. Because this is a quick trip within the Southeast region of Virginia, it is perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it a very budget-friendly transit. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a direct path between these two points. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable and efficient connection through the state.
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
34.1 miles from Franklin, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-centric experience where 92% of your time is spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—61.7 miles to be exact—on I-64, which dictates the pace of the trip. The transition from the interstate onto Richmond Road and West Broad Street marks your final approach into the city. While the drive is largely a consistent interstate grind, it offers a functional and predictable ride. Stay alert as you exit the highway, as the character of the road shifts from fast-moving traffic to the busier local streets of the Richmond area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Richmond Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near I 64.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 68.1 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 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
66.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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...
6
67.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
North Allen Avenue
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 61.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| Richmond Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Broad Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Stony Point Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Beltline Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cason Farm Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Hamilton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Allen Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on Cason Farm Road
0.2 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cason Farm Road
2
Turn left onto VA 20
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Stony Point Road
3
Turn left onto US 250
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 64 East
5
Merge onto I 64
62 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 64
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 195 South
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Beltline Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Hamilton Street
11
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Allen Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft
·
7 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
14
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though you should account for potential traffic as you approach Richmond. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the manageable 1 hour and 21-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Franklin, as the $11 estimate assumes efficient highway cruising. Because the route is dominated by a 61.7-mile stretch on I-64, make sure your vehicle is prepared for sustained interstate speeds. Taking advantage of the lack of required stops allows you to arrive at your destination quickly and efficiently.
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 34.1 miles from Franklin, VA, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.7 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 68.1 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.1 miles or 40m 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 7m
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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, VA
This is one driving day of about 68.1 miles and 1h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Franklin, 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 64 for about 61.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.1 mi from Franklin, VA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 68.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Franklin, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.90 one way
$21.80 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $11.87 | $23.75 |
| premium | $4.78 | $12.81 | $25.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.13 | $30.26 |
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: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
34 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
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
1h 21m 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 Franklin, VA to Richmond, VA covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Richmond Road, West Broad 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 34.1 miles from Franklin, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.90 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 9 significant decision points across 68.1 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 3.2 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Franklin, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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