The drive from Richmond, VA to Martinsville, VA covers 176.6 miles and takes about 3h 56m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Patrick Henry Highway, Kings Highway, Philpott Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.9 miles on Patrick Henry Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.62 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
88.3 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 176.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 56m drive with frequent turns across 176.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Patrick Henry Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Parkwood Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 176.6 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 1.6 miles (Parkwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (McCloy Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (Maplewood Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|Parkwood Avenue
Turn right onto Parkwood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip|~5m in|McCloy Street
Turn left onto McCloy Street
Navigation decision point
5
2 mi into trip|~6m in|Maplewood Avenue
Turn left onto Maplewood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip|~7m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Merge onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward VA 288 South: Amelia, Chesterfield
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 VA 288 South: Amelia, Chesterfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond, VA and Martinsville, VA, road signs point toward Chesterfield and Amelia.
Chesterfield
13.3 mi in|~21m
Amelia
16.1 mi in|~25m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Patrick Henry Highway
41.9 mi
52m
Kings Highway
22.4 mi
26m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
US 58
15.6 mi
20m
James D Hagood Highway
14.8 mi
18m
Hull Street Road
13.9 mi
20m
Danville Expressway
13.9 mi
16m
Powhite Parkway
9.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Patrick Henry Highway
— 41.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Martinsville, VA.
1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
525 ft·14 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
2
Continue on Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Meadow Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Meadow Street
4
Turn right onto VA 147
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on VA 147
0.2 mi·35 sec·Ellwood Avenue
6
Turn left onto South Sheppard Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South Sheppard Street
7
Turn right onto Parkwood Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Parkwood Avenue
8
Turn left onto McCloy Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·McCloy Street
9
Turn left onto Maplewood Avenue
30 ft·1 sec·Maplewood Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward VA 76 Toll South
11
Merge onto VA 146
0.6 mi·46 sec·VA 146
12
Merge onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
14
Merge onto VA 76
8.6 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward VA 288 South: Amelia, ChesterfieldUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
17
Merge onto VA 288
1.9 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
19
Merge onto US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 360
25 mi·31 min·Patrick Henry Highway
21
Continue on US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
22 mi·26 min·Kings Highway
24
Continue on US 360
15 mi·18 min·James D Hagood Highway
25
Continue on US 360
0.9 mi·1 min·John Randolph Boulevard
26
Continue on US 360
0.3 mi·31 sec·James D Hagood Highway
27
Continue on US 360
0.4 mi·36 sec·John Randolph Boulevard
28
Turn right onto US 58; US 360
0.7 mi·1 min·Bill Tuck Highway
29
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
30
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
31
Continue on US 58; US 360
3.1 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
32
Take the ramp onto US 58
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 58
Toward US 29 South, US 58 West: Greesboro, Martinsville
33
Merge onto US 29; US 58
14 mi·16 min·Danville Expressway
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 58
15 mi·20 min·US 58
35
Continue on US 58 BUS
3.6 mi·5 min·A L Philpott Highway
Toward US 58 West: Business, Martinsville
36
Continue on US 58 BUS; VA 57
0.9 mi·1 min·East Church Street
37
Turn right onto Hooker Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Hooker Street
38
Turn right onto Fairy Street
116 ft·4 sec·Fairy Street
39
Turn left onto VA 457
0.9 mi·1 min·Commonwealth Boulevard East
40
Turn sharp left onto Liberty Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Liberty Street
41
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
42
Arrive at destination
Walnut Street
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 88.3 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 39 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 58m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martinsville, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA
This is one driving day of about 176.6 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Richmond, 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 Patrick Henry Highway for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.3 mi from Richmond, VA
· 1h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from Richmond, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Martinsville, VA
The final approach into Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 18.3
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 73.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.62 one way
$55.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.20
$60.39
premium
$4.70
$32.68
$65.37
diesel
$5.61
$38.99
$77.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53
0
$18.54
$8.48
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.45
$7.06
EV Truck/SUV
70.6
0
$24.72
$11.30
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
1:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Martinsville, VA
Late night
in Martinsville on Saturday
Local time
1:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Victoria, VA
88 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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richmond, VA to Martinsville, VA covers 176.6 miles and takes about 3h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Patrick Henry Highway, Kings Highway, Philpott Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.3 miles from Richmond, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.62 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 25 significant decision points across 176.6 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 1.6 miles (Parkwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (McCloy Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (Maplewood Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Between Richmond, VA and Martinsville, VA, road signs point toward Chesterfield and Amelia.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petersburg National Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Historical 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.
