Origin
Idylwood, VA
Afternoon in Idylwood on Saturday
Local time
2:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Idylwood, VA to Richmond, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
104.3 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Idylwood, VA
Yaroslav Shuraev
Trip Overview
The drive from Idylwood, VA to Richmond, VA covers 104.3 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway, Capital Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.7 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Idylwood, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 55.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway | 35.7 mi | 42m |
| Capital Beltway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Idylwood Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Meadow Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Arthur Ashe Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 55.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Idylwood, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 695
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Idylwood Road
2
Turn right onto VA 7
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
Leesburg Pike
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
426 ft
·
10 sec
Toward I 66: Metro, Washington, Front Royal
Use the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 66
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 64
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 495
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57A
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
12
Merge onto I 395
36 mi
·
42 min
·
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 95
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
17
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
18
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
19
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Monument Avenue
20
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
21
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
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 52.2 miles from Idylwood, VA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 4m 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 42m
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 Idylwood, 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 Idylwood, VA
This is one driving day of about 104.3 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Idylwood, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 55.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Idylwood, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 10.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 66: Metro, Washington, Front Royal
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66: Metro, Washington, Front Royal
8
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
8
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
10.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franc...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.31 one way
$32.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.83 | $35.67 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.30 | $38.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.03 | $46.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Afternoon in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
2:08 PM
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
15 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
2h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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 104.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
104.3 mi in 2h 6m — 54% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 95.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 104.3 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Idylwood, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Franconia along the way.
Franconia
10.2 mi in
|
~15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 104.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Richmond, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond, VA before heading back.
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.
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