The drive from Richmond, VA to Altavista, VA covers 125 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Anderson Highway, Village Highway, Old Courthouse Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.7 miles on Anderson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.55 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
62.5 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 125 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 55m drive with frequent turns across 125 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Anderson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.7 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 24 significant decision points across 125 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 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 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
6
7.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
9
7.7 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, Midloth...
6
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|VA 24
Take the exit onto VA 24 toward US 460 West, VA 24 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 460 West, VA 24 West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Richmond, VA to Altavista, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
Midlothian
7.7 mi in|~14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Old Courthouse Road
10 mi
11m
Midlothian Turnpike
9.9 mi
16m
Wards Road
9.1 mi
11m
Richmond Highway
8.6 mi
10m
Mount Rush Highway
8.6 mi
9m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Anderson Highway
— 36.7 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Altavista, 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
2.5 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 60: Midlothian TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward US 60: Midlothian Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 60 West: Midlothian Turnpike, MidlothianUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 60
9.9 mi·16 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
20
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
21
Continue on US 60
7.8 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
22
Turn slight left onto VA 24
8.6 mi·9 min·Mount Rush Highway
23
Continue on VA 24
10 mi·11 min·Old Courthouse Road
24
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·29 sec·VA 24
Toward US 460 West, VA 24 West
25
Merge onto US 460; VA 24
8.6 mi·10 min·Richmond Highway
26
Turn left onto VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
112 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
28
Continue on VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
29
Take the exit onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·VA 24
30
Turn left onto US 29
9.1 mi·11 min·Wards Road
31
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
32
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
33
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
34
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
35
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.5 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 28 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, 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 125 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 Anderson Highway for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.5 mi from Richmond, VA
· 1h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 62.5 miles from Richmond, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altavista, VA
The final approach into Altavista, 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 Altavista, 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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 125
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.55 one way
$39.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.37
$42.75
premium
$4.70
$23.13
$46.27
diesel
$5.61
$27.60
$55.20
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
Midlothian Turnpike
(9.9 mi)$0.69
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.94
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altavista, VA
Morning
in Altavista on Saturday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
11 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
2h 55m 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 Altavista, VA covers 125 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Anderson Highway, Village Highway, Old Courthouse Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.5 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 $19.55 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.
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 24 significant decision points across 125 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 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Richmond, VA to Altavista, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Midlothian along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Booker T Washington National Monument.
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.
