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Trip from Narrows, VA to Richmond, VA

Drive Time

4h 41m

Distance

234.8 mi

378 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 28m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m

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 Narrows, VA, VA

Narrows, VA

Olga Shenderova

Trip Overview

The drive from Narrows, VA to Richmond, VA covers 234.8 miles and takes about 4h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, I 81, Virginia Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.3 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.58 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

117.4 miles from Narrows, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 41m highway drive covering 234.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 52.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 234.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 52.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
52.3 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
231.7 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in

Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
8
231.8 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 195 South
7
232.8 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in

Take the exit toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street

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 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton St...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 99.3 mi 1h 49m
I 81 79.8 mi 1h 27m
Virginia Avenue 17 mi 21m
Mount Tabor Road 9.1 mi 15m
Catawba Valley Drive 9 mi 12m
Newport Road 7.7 mi 12m
Pandapas Pond Road 3.4 mi 4m
Narrows Road 2.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 99.3 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on VA 100

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
2

Continue on VA 100

2.8 mi · 3 min · Narrows Road
3

Turn slight left onto Thomas Drive

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Thomas Drive
4

Turn right onto US 460

17 mi · 21 min · Virginia Avenue
5

Continue on US 460

3.4 mi · 4 min · Pandapas Pond Road
6

Turn left onto SR 649

392 ft · 8 sec · Coal Bank Hollow Road
7

Continue on SR 649

1.4 mi · 2 min · Coal Bank Hollow Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto SR 624

9.1 mi · 15 min · Mount Tabor Road
9

Continue on SR 624

7.7 mi · 12 min · Newport Road
10

At end of road, turn right onto VA 311

9.0 mi · 12 min · Catawba Valley Drive
11

Enter roundabout onto VA 419

163 ft · 2 sec · North Electric Road
12

Continue on VA 419

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Electric Road
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn left

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto I 81

80 mi · 1 hr 27 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

99 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 195 South Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on I 195

0.7 mi · 1 min · Beltline Expressway
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Hamilton Street
21

Turn left onto US 33; US 250

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Turn right onto North Allen Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · North Allen Avenue
23

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

274 ft · 7 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
24

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 117.4 miles from Narrows, VA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 117.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 52m

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 Narrows, 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 Narrows, VA

This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 4h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Narrows, 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 64 for about 99.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 117.4 mi from Narrows, VA · 2h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

117 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

Oakland, MD

Fuel and coffee

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

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.4 miles from Narrows, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 56.7
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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 234.8
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.58 one way

$75.15 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $40.94 $81.88
premium $4.78 $44.17 $88.34
diesel $5.64 $52.16 $104.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.4 0 $24.65 $11.27
Efficient EV 58.7 0 $20.54 $9.39
EV Truck/SUV 93.9 1 $32.87 $15.03

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 2 days ago

Origin

Narrows, VA

Afternoon in Narrows on Sunday

Local time

3:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Afternoon in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

3:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

76°F

Oakland, MD

117 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

6 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 41m 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 Narrows, VA to Richmond, VA covers 234.8 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, Virginia Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.4 miles from Narrows, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.58 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 234.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Narrows, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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