Glasgow, VA to Richmond, VA is 148.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m via I 64 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily within Virginia, making it a solid option for a single-day journey. You'll stick to major interstates for most of the drive, so expect a consistent pace. If you're looking for a no-fuss way to get from the western part of the state to the capital region, this route delivers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.3 miles from Glasgow, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 148.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 99.3 miles on I 64, so settle in for sustained driving. The route utilizes I 81 and I 64, meaning you'll be on well-maintained, high-speed roads for the majority of your travel. Expect a consistent driving experience without many significant changes in road type, making it predictable and efficient.
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 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.2 miles in near I 64.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 148.7 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
46.2 mi into trip|~52m 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
145.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
145.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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...
5
148.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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 64
99.3 mi
1h 49m
I 81
32.4 mi
34m
Glasgow Highway
6.1 mi
6m
East Midland Trail
2.7 mi
3m
South Magnolia Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
West Broad Street
1.5 mi
3m
Beltline Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
West 29th Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glasgow, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on this road
248 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Anderson Street
213 ft·9 sec·Anderson Street
3
Turn left onto SR 684
0.2 mi·32 sec·Blue Ridge Road
4
Turn left onto VA 130
0.5 mi·59 sec·Rockbridge Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 501
6.1 mi·6 min·Glasgow Highway
6
Continue on US 501
2.1 mi·2 min·South Magnolia Avenue
7
Turn straight onto US 501
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 501
8
Turn straight onto US 501
0.5 mi·42 sec·Beech Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 60
0.6 mi·42 sec·West 29th Street
10
Continue on US 60
2.7 mi·3 min·East Midland Trail
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
12
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·34 min·I 81
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 186Toward I 195 South: Laburnum AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi·1 min·Beltline Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·North Hamilton Street
19
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi·3 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Allen Avenue
21
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft·7 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
22
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Given the drive duration of under 3 hours, leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon works well, allowing for flexibility. There's only one planned stop suggested, so you can easily make this a single-day trip without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, you can plan your budget accordingly. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Richmond area, as congestion can sometimes build during peak hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.3 miles from Glasgow, VA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
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 Glasgow, 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 Glasgow, VA
This is one driving day of about 148.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Glasgow, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.3 mi from Glasgow, VA
· 1h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 148.7
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.25 one way
$46.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.43
$50.85
premium
$4.70
$27.52
$55.04
diesel
$5.61
$32.83
$65.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.61
$7.14
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.01
$5.95
EV Truck/SUV
59.5
0
$20.82
$9.52
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 17, 2026
Origin
Glasgow, VA
Morning
in Glasgow on Saturday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
NW 3 to 10 mph17% chanceLive 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
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
2h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Glasgow, VA to Richmond, VA covers 148.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, Glasgow 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 74.3 miles from Glasgow, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.25 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 148.7 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 46.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Glasgow, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
