Origin
Petersburg, VA
Evening in Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
7:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Petersburg, VA to Richmond, VA
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
115.8 mi
186 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Petersburg, VA
Filip Filipovic
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Petersburg to Richmond, expect a straightforward journey covering 115.8 miles. While this trip typically takes about 2 hours and 29 minutes, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Southeast Virginia hubs. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including US 17, the James Madison Highway, and I-66. Since the duration is relatively short, you can comfortably complete the drive without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for your itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.9 miles from Petersburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 79% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself navigating a significant 82.2-mile stretch on US 17, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The experience is characterized by efficiency, as the route prioritizes major arteries over local side roads. Expect a consistent pace behind the wheel once you settle onto the highway sections. Because the drive is dominated by these primary roads, you can anticipate a predictable, steady flow of traffic throughout the duration of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and James Madison Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 115.8 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 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles (US 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward Washington
Navigation decision point
Toward Washington
7
21.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
7
31.9 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 toward US 17 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 17 South
7
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
7
113.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Petersburg, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Fredericksburg
12.7 mi in
|
~16m
|
via US 17
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 82.2 mi | 1h 41m |
| James Madison Highway | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| I 66 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Eastern Bypass | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| John Marshall Highway | 3 mi | 5m |
| Winchester Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Hermitage Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Meadow Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on VA 55
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John Marshall Highway
2
Turn left onto SR 688
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leeds Manor Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Washington
4
Merge onto I 66
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 66
5
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 17
7
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Winchester Road
8
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
James Madison Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
James Madison Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi
·
39 min
·
US 17
Toward US 17 South
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 17
55 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Robin Hood Road
16
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hermitage Road
17
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Meadow Street
18
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Monument Avenue
19
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcus-David Peters Circle
20
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. You will not need to plan for intermediate stops given the 2 hour and 29 minute total transit time, though keeping a $19 fuel budget in mind remains a smart practice. Pay close attention to your navigation when transitioning between US 17 and the James Madison Highway to ensure you maintain your momentum. Because this route lacks mandatory stops, use the time saved to arrive at your destination in Richmond refreshed. Prioritize checking local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the highway segments are flowing smoothly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.9 miles from Petersburg, VA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 2m
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 Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Petersburg, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 82.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.9 mi from Petersburg, VA · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Petersburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.2 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
$18.53 one way
$37.07 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.19 | $40.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $21.78 | $43.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.73 | $51.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.16 | $5.56 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.13 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Richmond, VA
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
7:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
3 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 29m 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 Petersburg, VA to Richmond, VA covers 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, James Madison Highway, I 66. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.9 miles from Petersburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.53 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 115.8 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 3.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles (US 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Petersburg, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
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