Trip from Leesburg, VA to Richmond, VA

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

125.2 mi

201 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 31m ★

6 AM

2h 41m

8 AM

3h 3m

10 AM

2h 49m

12 PM

2h 47m

3 PM

2h 50m

5 PM

3h 2m

8 PM

2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Leesburg, VA

Eric Joseph

Trip Overview

Traveling from Leesburg to Richmond covers 125.2 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a one-day trip, making it an easy excursion for those looking to connect these two Virginia cities. You can expect to spend about $20 on fuel for the journey, which keeps the trip budget-friendly. Because you will be navigating through the Southeast region, anticipate varying traffic patterns as you transition between suburban and metropolitan corridors. While an overnight stay is certainly an option, the duration allows you to complete the trip comfortably in a single day without feeling rushed.

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

62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, as 74% of your journey takes place on highways. Your route relies on a mix of the Dulles Greenway, Ox Road, and a significant 81.8-mile stretch on I-95. This longest segment on the interstate is where you will spend the bulk of your time, offering a straightforward but high-traffic experience. The personality of the drive shifts from the suburban pace of northern Virginia to the more structured flow of the interstate system. Be prepared for a consistent, utilitarian road experience that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 30 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 81.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Dulles Greenway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 125.2 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 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg Bypass

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Lees...

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington

13.7 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville

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 9A Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville

19.6 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 50 East: Fairfax

19.8 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 50 East: Fairfax

Towns Along This Route

Between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Centreville and Fairfax.

Centreville

13.7 mi in | ~18m

Fairfax

19.4 mi in | ~27m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	81.8 mi	1h 32m
Dulles Greenway	11.6 mi	13m
Ox Road	8.7 mi	12m
Fairfax County Parkway	7.7 mi	11m
Sully Road	4.6 mi	6m
Route 50	3.2 mi	5m
South King Street	1.1 mi	3m
Hermitage Road	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA.

Start on VA 7 BUS

226 ft · 15 sec · East Market Street

Turn left onto US 15 BUS

1.1 mi · 3 min · South King Street

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward VA 7 East, US 15 North: Alexandria, Leesburg Bypass Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 15; VA 7

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Leesburg Bypass

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward VA 267 East: Dulles Airport, Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on VA 267

12 mi · 13 min · Dulles Greenway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Exit 9A Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport, Centreville Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward VA 28 South: Centreville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto VA 28

4.6 mi · 6 min · Sully Road

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 50 East: Fairfax Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward US 50 East: Fairfax Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 50

3.2 mi · 5 min · Route 50

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto VA 286

7.7 mi · 11 min · Fairfax County Parkway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road

Turn left onto VA 123

8.7 mi · 12 min · Ox Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on VA 123

0.9 mi · 1 min · Gordon Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg

Merge onto I 95

26 mi · 30 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

56 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec

Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Robin Hood Road

Turn right onto Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road

Continue on North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Meadow Street

Turn left onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Monument Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is essential to manage the traffic density typically found on I-95. Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid peak congestion. You should budget for at least one stop during your 125.2-mile journey to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the interstate. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, though the $20 estimate should cover your needs for the one-way transit. A smart strategy is to check real-time traffic reports for the I-95 corridor before you depart Leesburg, as this specific stretch is prone to delays that can impact your arrival time in Richmond.

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 62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 13m

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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, VA

This is one driving day of about 125.2 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Leesburg, 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 95 for about 81.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.6 mi from Leesburg, VA · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, DC

63 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

La Plata, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.8 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

$20.04 one way

$40.07 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$21.83	$43.66
premium	$4.78	$23.55	$47.10
diesel	$5.64	$27.82	$55.63

Estimated Tolls: $2.91

Dulles Greenway (11.6 mi) $2.91

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

$20

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.6	$13.15	$6.01
Efficient EV	31.3	$10.96	$5.01
EV Truck/SUV	50.1	$17.53	$8.01

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Leesburg, VA

Evening in Leesburg on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Evening in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

6:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

68°F

Washington, DC

63 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

2 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 41m 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 Leesburg, VA to Richmond, VA covers 125.2 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, Dulles Greenway, Ox Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 62.6 miles from Leesburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.04 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.

Between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA, road signs point toward Centreville and Fairfax.

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Trip from Leesburg, VA to Richmond, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Richmond, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Leesburg, VA

Richmond, VA

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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