Trip from Richmond, VA to Castlewood, VA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 26m

Distance

336 mi

541 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 14m ★

6 AM

6h 27m

8 AM

6h 51m

10 AM

6h 35m

12 PM

6h 33m

3 PM

6h 36m

5 PM

6h 50m

8 PM

6h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Castlewood, VA

Eric Joseph

Trip Overview

The drive from Richmond, VA to Castlewood, VA covers 336 miles and takes about 6h 26m 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, US Highway 58 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 $52.54 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

168 miles from Richmond, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 6h 26m highway drive covering 336 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 24 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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 336 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 15 key points

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

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.

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

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

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.

307.8 mi into trip | ~5h 42m in | Valley Street Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 Castlewood, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.

Holston Dam

306.8 mi in | ~5h 39m | via US 58 ALT

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	172.9 mi	3h 9m
I 64	130.2 mi	2h 23m
US Highway 58	12.4 mi	17m
Porterfield Highway	10.3 mi	14m
US 19	1.9 mi	2m
Memorial Drive	1.5 mi	3m
I 77	1.3 mi	1m
Hermitage Road	1.1 mi	2m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

525 ft · 14 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Continue on Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Monument Avenue

Turn right onto North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Meadow Street

Continue on Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road

Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 29 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 24 sec

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

Merge onto I 64; I 95

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

117 mi · 2 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 77; I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52

56 mi · 59 min · I 81; US 52

Use the straight lane.

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

Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75

0.8 mi · 2 min · Cummings Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Valley Street Northwest

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT

0.9 mi · 2 min · Russell Road Northwest

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT

10 mi · 14 min · Porterfield Highway

Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 19; US 58 ALT

Turn left onto US 58 ALT

12 mi · 17 min · US Highway 58

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto SR 683

1.5 mi · 3 min · Memorial Drive

Turn left onto SR 695

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Trout Farm Road

Continue on SR 615

0.8 mi · 1 min · Red Oak Ridge Road

Turn slight right onto SR 750

201 ft · 8 sec · Church Street

Arrive at destination

SR 750

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 168 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 3h 8m 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168 miles or 3h 8m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castlewood, 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 336 miles and 6h 26m.

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.

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 168 mi from Richmond, VA · 3h 8m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winston-Salem, NC

168 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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Winston-Salem, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168 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 Castlewood, VA

The final approach into Castlewood, 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 Castlewood, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.54 one way

$105.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$57.45	$114.90
premium	$4.70	$62.19	$124.37
diesel	$5.61	$74.18	$148.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	100.8	1	$35.28	$16.13
Efficient EV	84	0	$29.40	$13.44
EV Truck/SUV	134.4	1	$47.04	$21.50

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Tuesday

Local time

11:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Castlewood, VA

Night in Castlewood on Tuesday

Local time

11:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°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

28 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

6h 26m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Castlewood, VA covers 336 miles and takes about 6h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 64, US Highway 58. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 168 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 $52.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.

On the drive from Richmond, VA to Castlewood, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Holston Dam along the way.

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