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Create accountDrive Time
7h 13m
Distance
379.2 mi
610 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Traveling from Pennington Gap to Richmond covers 379.2 miles across the state of Virginia, typically taking about 7 hours and 13 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is entirely within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you head toward the capital. With a total estimated fuel cost of $61, this route is efficient for those who prefer to stay on major arteries. While it is physically possible to complete the 379-mile trek in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Given the duration, you might consider an overnight split if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though it remains a viable single-day push for focused drivers.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.6 miles from Pennington Gap, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of your mileage spent on major thoroughfares. You will start by navigating US Highway 23 before transitioning onto the interstate system. The most significant portion of your travel involves a 222.1-mile stretch on I-81, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Eventually, you will connect to I-64 to complete the transit to Richmond. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding backroads adventure, as the route is designed for steady progress across the Commonwealth.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,942 ft
Total Descent
3,114 ft
Highest Point
2,517 ft
~110.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,304 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 136.7 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 379.2 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 136.7 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.7 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 376 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 222.1 mi | 4h 2m |
| I 64 | 99.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 23 | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| East Stone Drive | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Wilderness Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| US 421 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Bloomingdale Pike | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Wadlow Gap Highway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pennington Gap, VA and Richmond, VA.
Start on Joslyn Avenue
Turn right onto US 58 ALT
Take the exit onto US 421
At end of road, turn left onto US 58
Continue on US 58; US 421
Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421
Turn left onto US 58; US 421
Continue on SR 93
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
Turn left onto US 11W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
Continue on I 64; I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 195
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Arrive at destination
To tackle this 7-hour-plus drive effectively, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the interstates. Planning for at least two strategic stops will help keep you alert during the long 222.1-mile segment on I-81. Keep your fuel budget of $61 in mind, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you choose to pull off for refueling. Since the majority of your time is spent on high-speed highways, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained interstate speeds. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for I-81 before you leave Pennington Gap, as incidents on this primary corridor can significantly impact your total travel time.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 83 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.6 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pennington Gap, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pennington Gap, VA
This is one driving day of about 379.2 miles and 7h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 189.6 mi from Pennington Gap, VA · 3h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 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.
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 189.6 miles from Pennington Gap, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 222.1 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$60.69 one way
$121.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $66.12 | $132.24 |
| premium | $4.78 | $71.33 | $142.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $84.25 | $168.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.82 | $18.20 |
| Efficient EV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.18 | $15.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.7 | 1 | $53.09 | $24.27 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Pennington Gap on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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