This quick 16.5-mile drive from Richmond to Brandermill in Virginia's Southeast region should take you about 28 minutes. With a highway share of 82%, it's a very direct trip, making it ideal for a single day. You can expect the fuel to cost around $3, which is quite reasonable for this short distance. The route is focused on efficient travel, so if you're looking for a straightforward journey with minimal fuss, this is a good option. It's a practical choice for a quick transfer between these two nearby locations.
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
8.2 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 14m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 82% of your mileage on main roads like Powhite Parkway and Charter Colony Parkway. The road's personality is geared towards efficiency, not necessarily scenic vistas. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 10.4 miles on the Powhite Parkway, indicating a consistent flow for much of the journey. This route is designed for getting you to your destination quickly, rather than offering a winding or varied driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Powhite Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Powhite Parkway and E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway). 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.
Route Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 16.5 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 17 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.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~27m in|East Timber Ridge Road
Turn right onto East Timber Ridge Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Powhite Parkway
10.4 mi
13m
E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
1 mi
1m
Charter Colony Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
South Old Hundred Road
0.6 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
VA 146
0.6 mi
<1m
Brandermill Parkway
0.5 mi
1m
North Meadow Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Powhite Parkway
— 10.4 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Brandermill, 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
9.4 mi·12 min·Powhite Parkway
15
Turn left onto SR 754
0.8 mi·1 min·Charter Colony Parkway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on SR 754
0.6 mi·1 min·South Old Hundred Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 1921
25 ft·0 sec·Brandermill Parkway
18
Continue on SR 1921
0.5 mi·1 min·Brandermill Parkway
19
Turn left onto Millridge Parkway
0.3 mi·45 sec·Millridge Parkway
20
Turn right onto East Timber Ridge Road
263 ft·17 sec·East Timber Ridge Road
21
Turn left onto SR 1883
370 ft·20 sec·Timber Ridge Road
22
Turn left
112 ft·8 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 28-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, and you'll likely have plenty of flexibility for departure times. With only 16.5 miles, you won't need extensive planning for stops, and the estimated fuel cost of $3 means you can likely complete the journey without a major refueling. Keep an eye out for the E-ZPass toll section on Powhite Parkway, as this is a key point to be aware of for payment. Since the drive is so short, you can focus on arriving at your destination promptly.
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 8.2 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.4 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 16.5 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.2 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandermill, 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 16.5 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Richmond, 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 Powhite Parkway for about 10.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.2 mi from Richmond, VA
· 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 8.2 miles from Richmond, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brandermill, VA
The final approach into Brandermill, 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 Brandermill, 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 16.5
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.58 one way
$5.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg6 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$2.82
$5.64
premium
$4.70
$3.05
$6.11
diesel
$5.61
$3.64
$7.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
5
0
$1.73
$0.79
Efficient EV
4.1
0
$1.44
$0.66
EV Truck/SUV
6.6
0
$2.31
$1.06
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 7 hours ago
Origin
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Wednesday
Local time
2:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:55AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Brandermill, VA
Late night
in Brandermill on Wednesday
Local time
2:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Middletown, MD
8 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
22 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
28m 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 Brandermill, VA covers 16.5 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Powhite Parkway, E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway), Charter Colony Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.2 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 $2.58 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 17 significant decision points across 16.5 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.
The route from Richmond, VA to Brandermill, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
