Origin
Fredericksburg, VA
Evening in Fredericksburg on Sunday
Local time
7:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fredericksburg, VA to Richmond, VA
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
55.3 mi
89 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fredericksburg, VA
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fredericksburg to Richmond, you are looking at a straightforward 55.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to complete in a short amount of time. You should budget approximately $9 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Virginia hubs. Because the drive is relatively quick, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two historic Virginia cities with ease, making it a convenient option for travelers looking to move between regions without a major time commitment.
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
27.6 miles from Fredericksburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this route is spent on major roadways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-95, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 47.1 miles. The remainder of your navigation involves Patriot Highway and Emancipation Highway, transitioning you from the Fredericksburg area into the Richmond region. This drive is essentially a direct interstate transit, prioritizing speed and efficiency over secondary roads. You should be prepared for a consistent, high-speed pace behind the wheel as you navigate these primary traffic arteries.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 47.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Patriot Highway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near George Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (George Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Barton Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
George Street
Turn right onto George Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Barton Street
At end of road, turn left onto Barton Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward US 1 South, Massaponax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, Massaponax
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I 95 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South
7
53.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 47.1 mi | 52m |
| Patriot Highway | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| Emancipation Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Hanover Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| William Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| George Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Meadow Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 47.1 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fredericksburg, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
345 ft
·
16 sec
·
Princess Anne Street
2
Turn right onto George Street
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
George Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Barton Street
198 ft
·
7 sec
·
Barton Street
4
Turn right onto George Street
333 ft
·
9 sec
·
George Street
5
Continue on Hanover Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Hanover Street
6
Turn right onto High Street
219 ft
·
11 sec
·
High Street
7
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
William Street
8
Continue on VA 3
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
William Street
9
Take the exit
346 ft
·
9 sec
Toward US 1 South, Massaponax
10
Turn sharp right onto US 1
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Emancipation Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 1
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Patriot Highway
13
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 95 South
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 95
47 mi
·
52 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
18
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
19
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
20
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Monument Avenue
21
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
22
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 10-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to factor in any mandatory stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep in mind that because I-95 carries the majority of your travel time, checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid potential congestion. Aim to time your departure to miss peak commuting hours to ensure the most efficient transit. Taking advantage of this short duration means you can easily arrive in Richmond with plenty of energy left for your day's plans.
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 27.6 miles from Fredericksburg, VA, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.1 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 55.3 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.6 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 55.3 miles and 1h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fredericksburg, 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 47.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.6 mi from Fredericksburg, VA · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.6 miles from Fredericksburg, 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
$8.85 one way
$17.70 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $9.64 | $19.29 |
| premium | $4.78 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.29 | $24.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.81 | $2.65 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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
7:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
28 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
1 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 10m 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 Fredericksburg, VA to Richmond, VA covers 55.3 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Patriot Highway, Emancipation Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.6 miles from Fredericksburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.85 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 55.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (George Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Barton Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fredericksburg, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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