Embarking from Gretna, VA, to Richmond, VA, this 140.8-mile journey is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The route primarily follows local roads, including Anderson Highway and Main Street, with only about 23% on highways. Given the relatively short distance and the nature of the drive, it's well-suited for a single day's adventure without feeling rushed. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region, staying within the state of Virginia for the entire trip.
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
70.4 miles from Gretna, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 140.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive is best characterized as a turn-heavy local exploration rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You'll experience a mix of roads, with a significant portion being local streets and highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more frequent turns. With only 23% of the route on highways, anticipate a slower pace and more engagement with the local landscape as you navigate through towns and communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Anderson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.7 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 140.8 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.3 miles (VA 146): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
136.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
138.3 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|VA 146
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
138.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward Maplewood Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Maplewood Avenue
7
139.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|Idlewood Avenue
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gretna, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.
Appomattox
49.3 mi in|~1h 12m|via VA 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
Main Street
25.9 mi
33m
VA 24
18.9 mi
21m
Powhite Parkway
11.5 mi
15m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Richmond Highway
8.5 mi
11m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
West James Anderson Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Anderson Highway
— 36.7 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gretna, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 792
0.1 mi·20 sec·Northside Drive
2
Turn right onto US 29 BUS
26 mi·33 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·Colonial Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24
340 ft·8 sec·Brookneal Highway
5
Continue on US 501; VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
113 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
7
Continue on VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
8
Turn right onto US 460; VA 24
8.5 mi·11 min·Richmond Highway
9
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·21 sec·VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
10
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi·21 min·VA 24
11
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
12
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
13
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
14
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Midlothian Turnpike
15
Turn right onto SR 652
2.5 mi·3 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 652
147 ft·5 sec·Old Hundred Road
17
Continue on SR 652
2.5 mi·4 min·Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on VA 76
9.7 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.4 mi·36 sec·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Maplewood AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
230 ft·5 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue
23
Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Maplewood Avenue
24
At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Sheppard Street
25
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Idlewood Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto South Robinson Street
305 ft·11 sec·South Robinson Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Grayland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Grayland Avenue
28
Turn left onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
30
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
31
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
For this 140.8-mile drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to arrive in Richmond with ample time to explore or settle in. Since the total duration is just over three hours and there's only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading out, as the fuel cost is estimated at $22. The longest stretch without significant turns is 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway, which might be a good point to gauge your progress or consider a brief pause if needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.4 miles from Gretna, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 31 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 34m
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 Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA
This is one driving day of about 140.8 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Gretna, 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 Anderson Highway for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.4 mi from Gretna, VA
· 1h 37m into the drive
The midpoint is around 70.4 miles from Gretna, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 131.1
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 4.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.02 one way
$44.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$24.07
$48.15
premium
$4.70
$26.06
$52.12
diesel
$5.61
$31.09
$62.17
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Midlothian Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.07
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
Efficient EV
35.2
0
$12.32
$5.63
EV Truck/SUV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Gretna, VA
Morning
in Gretna on Friday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Friday
Local time
10:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
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
24 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
3h 12m 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 Gretna, VA to Richmond, VA covers 140.8 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Anderson Highway, Main Street, VA 24. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.4 miles from Gretna, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 20 significant decision points across 140.8 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 121.7 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.3 miles (VA 146): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Gretna, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Booker T Washington National Monument.
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.
