Trip from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 81, I 64, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 153.8 miles from Richmond, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

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.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA?

The route from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

307.7 mi

495 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 29m ★

6 AM

5h 42m

8 AM

6h 9m

10 AM

5h 51m

12 PM

5h 49m

3 PM

5h 53m

5 PM

6h 7m

8 PM

5h 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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Trip Overview

The drive from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA covers 307.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, I 64, I 77 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 172.9 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.12 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

153.8 miles from Richmond, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 307.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 42m highway drive covering 307.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 172.9 miles on I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 172.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 1.7 miles in near VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 307.7 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 1.7 miles (VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

7

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

8

1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Turn left toward I 95 North, I 64 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 95 North, I 64 West

9

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 79 Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville

6

132.6 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 81

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

6

251 mi into trip | ~4h 40m in | I 81; US 52

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	172.9 mi	3h 9m
I 64	130.2 mi	2h 23m
I 77	1.3 mi	1m
Hermitage Road	1.1 mi	2m
Cummings Street	0.7 mi	1m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike	0.3 mi	<1m
North Meadow Street	0.2 mi	<1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 172.9 mi, about 3h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

525 ft · 14 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

2

Continue on Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Monument Avenue

3

Turn right onto North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Meadow Street

4

Continue on Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road

5

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road

Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard

6

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Use the left lane.

7

Turn left

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 95 North, I 64 West Use the left lane.

8

Merge onto I 64; I 95

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

130 mi · 2 hr 23 min · I 64

Exit 79 Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

117 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

11

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

56 mi · 59 min · I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

13

Take the exit onto US 58 ALT

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 58 ALT

Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam

14

Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cummings Street

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

15

Arrive at destination

VA 75

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 153.8 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.9 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 153.8 miles or 2h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Abingdon, 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 307.7 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 I 81 for about 172.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 153.8 mi from Richmond, VA · 2h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vinton, VA

154 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

Charlottesville, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vinton, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 153.8 miles from Richmond, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.9 miles.

Arriving in Abingdon, VA

The final approach into Abingdon, 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 Abingdon, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1.2 mi

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Virginia

1 mi

Curbside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18043557008

Visit website

821 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18046491042

Visit website

Bamboo Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+18043531609

Visit website

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18043555282

Visit website

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+18043401580

Visit website

Tarrant's Cafe Downtown

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18042250035

Visit website

Chez Foushee Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+18046483225

Visit website

Cafe Rustika

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18042258811

Visit website

Harrison Street Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cafe Synai

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18048161419

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Richmond, Virginia

Visit website

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+18045916191

Visit website

Luxe & You Floral Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Passport Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–6:30 pm

+18042871877

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

+18047888000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 65.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349797264

Visit website

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 65.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14349848000

Visit website

Little Mod Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 65.9

Charlottesville, Virginia

+14344433207

Visit website

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 65.9

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ICA Shop + Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18048282823

Visit website

Byrd Park Pump House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

+18046465733

Visit website

Southern mansion: Block cafe, Brewpub, donuts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Richmond, Virginia

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.12 one way

$96.23 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$52.61	$105.22
premium	$4.70	$56.95	$113.90
diesel	$5.61	$67.94	$135.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.3	1	$32.31	$14.77
Efficient EV	76.9	0	$26.92	$12.31
EV Truck/SUV	123.1	1	$43.08	$19.69

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Abingdon, VA

Night in Abingdon on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°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

1 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

5h 42m 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 Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA covers 307.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 64, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 153.8 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 $48.12 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 307.7 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 1.7 miles (VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Richmond, VA to Abingdon, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Abingdon, VA

Nearby Places

Curbside Cafe

Harrison Street Cafe

Curbside Cafe

821 Cafe

Bamboo Cafe

Greenbriar Cafe and Coffeehouse

Amuse Restaurant VMFA

Tarrant's Cafe Downtown

Chez Foushee Restaurant & Bar

Cafe Rustika

Harrison Street Cafe

Cafe Synai

Calyx Cafe | Lounge

Autumn's Catering & Cafe

Luxe & You Floral Cafe

Passport Cafe

Noor Cafe

8:15 at Boatwright Cafe

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

The Jeff Hotel

The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel

Little Mod Hotel

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel

Hotel

Science Museum of Virginia

Rage RVA

The Cask Cafe

The Robins Nature Center at Maymont

T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge

ICA Shop + Cafe

Byrd Park Pump House

Southern mansion: Block cafe, Brewpub, donuts

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Richmond, VA

Abingdon, VA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Abingdon, VA

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