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Trip from Motley, VA to Richmond, VA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

132.3 mi

213 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m

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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Downtown Motley, VA, VA

Motley, VA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Motley, VA to Richmond, VA covers 132.3 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Anderson Highway, VA 24, US 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.69 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

66.1 miles from Motley, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 132.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Motley, VA to Richmond, VA covers 132.3 miles and takes about 3h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 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?

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 113.2 miles in near SR 652 / Old Hundred Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 132.3 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 113.2 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles (VA 146): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

6
113.2 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Turn right onto SR 652 / Old Hundred Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
128 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
129.7 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
130.2 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
130.7 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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 Motley, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.

Appomattox

40.8 mi in | ~1h 1m | via VA 24

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Anderson Highway 36.7 mi 48m
VA 24 18.9 mi 21m
US 29 16.4 mi 20m
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 Motley, VA and Richmond, 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

16 mi · 20 min · US 29
6

Turn right onto VA 24

4.3 mi · 7 min · Colonial Highway
7

At end of road, turn left onto US 501; VA 24

340 ft · 8 sec · Brookneal Highway
8

Continue on US 501; VA 24

9.2 mi · 17 min · Village Highway
9

Enter roundabout onto VA 24

113 ft · 2 sec · Village Highway
10

Continue on VA 24

1.2 mi · 2 min · Village Highway
11

Turn right onto US 460; VA 24

8.5 mi · 11 min · Richmond Highway
12

Take the exit onto VA 24

0.2 mi · 21 sec · VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
13

Turn slight left onto VA 24

19 mi · 21 min · VA 24
14

Continue on US 60

7.7 mi · 9 min · West James Anderson Highway
15

Continue on US 60

8.1 mi · 9 min · East James Anderson Highway
16

Continue on US 60

37 mi · 48 min · Anderson Highway
17

Continue on US 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Midlothian Turnpike
18

Turn right onto SR 652

2.5 mi · 3 min · Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
19

Enter roundabout onto SR 652

147 ft · 5 sec · Old Hundred Road
20

Continue on SR 652

2.5 mi · 4 min · Old Hundred Road
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on VA 76

9.7 mi · 12 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76

1.8 mi · 2 min · Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146

0.4 mi · 36 sec · VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

230 ft · 5 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue
26

Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Maplewood Avenue
27

At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South Sheppard Street
28

Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Idlewood Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto South Robinson Street

305 ft · 11 sec · South Robinson Street
Use the right lane.
30

Turn left onto Grayland Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Grayland Avenue
31

Turn left onto South Meadow Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Meadow Street
Use the straight lane.
32

Turn right onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Monument Avenue
33

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
34

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

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 66.1 miles from Motley, VA, or about 1h 31m 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 29 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.1 miles or 1h 31m 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 25m

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 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 132.3 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Anderson Highway for about 36.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.1 mi from Motley, VA · 1h 31m into the drive

town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in Virginia, United States, that is the county seat of Prince Edward County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farmville, VA

66 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

Lynchburg, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Motley, 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

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 41
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 123.1
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.69 one way

$41.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.62 $45.24
premium $4.70 $24.49 $48.97
diesel $5.61 $29.21 $58.42

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

$21

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.7 0 $13.89 $6.35
Efficient EV 33.1 0 $11.58 $5.29
EV Truck/SUV 52.9 0 $18.52 $8.47

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Night in Motley on Thursday

Local time

9:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Thursday

Local time

9:18 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

26 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 1m 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 Motley, VA to Richmond, VA covers 132.3 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Anderson Highway, VA 24, US 29. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.1 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 $20.69 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 22 significant decision points across 132.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.2 miles (SR 652 / Old Hundred Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles (VA 76 / Powhite Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles (VA 146): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Motley, 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.

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Return Trip

Richmond, VA to Motley, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

130.2 mi 3h

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