The drive from Motley, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 29, I 95, Constitution Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.6 miles on US 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.7 miles from Motley, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 35m highway drive covering 205.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 29 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.6 miles on US 29.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.9 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 205.5 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 23.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
23.9 mi into trip|~31m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North, US 460 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 460 East
7
30.4 mi into trip|~40m in|US 29
Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
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 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
8
196.4 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
201.9 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
203.8 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
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 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
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 Motley, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.
Charlottesville
30.4 mi in|~40m|via US 29
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
89.6 mi
1h 51m
I 95
41.9 mi
50m
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi
30m
Plank Road
12.7 mi
19m
US 15
8.3 mi
12m
Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi
12m
I 64
5.8 mi
6m
Louisa Road
5.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 89.6 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Motley, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on this road
88 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 988
0.8 mi·1 min·Highwayview Road
3
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.1 mi·13 sec·Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 29 North
5
Merge onto US 29
23 mi·29 min·US 29
6
Take the exit onto US 29
6.5 mi·8 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North, US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 29
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 64 East
9
Merge onto I 64
5.8 mi·6 min·I 64
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 250
11
Keep slight right at fork
445 ft·11 sec
12
Merge onto US 250
2.0 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
13
Turn left onto VA 22
5.3 mi·9 min·Louisa Road
14
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi·12 min·Gordonsville Road
15
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi·2 min·Gordon Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto US 15
46 ft·0 sec·US 15
17
Continue on US 15
8.3 mi·12 min·US 15
18
Turn right onto VA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Berry Hill Road
19
Continue on VA 20
22 mi·30 min·Constitution Highway
20
Turn right onto VA 3
0.1 mi·10 sec·Germanna Highway
21
Continue on VA 3
13 mi·19 min·Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Toward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the left / straight lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95; US 17
1.4 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
25
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi·7 min·I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: BaltimoreUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
30
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
31
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
32
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
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 102.7 miles from Motley, VA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Motley, 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 Motley, VA
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Motley, 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 US 29 for about 89.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.7 mi from Motley, VA
· 2h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Motley, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.6 miles.
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 35.4
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...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$30
near mile 120.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.14 one way
$64.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.14
$70.27
premium
$4.70
$38.03
$76.07
diesel
$5.61
$45.37
$90.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 13, 2026
Origin
Motley, VA
Afternoon
in Motley on Friday
Local time
2:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
2:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
23 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
4h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Motley, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, I 95, Constitution 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 102.7 miles from Motley, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.14 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 205.5 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 23.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Motley, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park.
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.
