Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
78.7 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, VA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Richmond, VA to Franklin, VA covers 78.7 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, Jerusalem Plank Road, I 95 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.2 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.31 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.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Richmond, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 78.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
The drive from Richmond, VA to Franklin, VA covers 78.7 miles and takes about 1h 50m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near East Byrd Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (East Byrd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East Byrd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward VA 195 East
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 301, VA 35, VA 156: Courtland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike | 22.2 mi | 28m |
| Jerusalem Plank Road | 17.7 mi | 24m |
| I 95 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Plank Road | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| Courtland Road | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Southampton Parkway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Clay Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Camp Parkway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Franklin, VA.
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
Continue on Monument Avenue
Turn slight right onto West Franklin Street
Turn right onto US 1; US 301
Turn left onto East Byrd Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto VA 195
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 301; VA 35
Continue on VA 35
Continue on VA 35
Continue on VA 35
Continue on US 58 BUS
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
Continue on US 58 BUS
Enter roundabout onto US 58 BUS
Continue on US 58 BUS
Merge onto US 58
Turn left onto US 58 BUS
Continue on US 58 BUS
At end of road, turn left onto US 58 BUS
Turn right onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 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 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Richmond, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, VA
This is one driving day of about 78.7 miles and 1h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Richmond, VA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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.
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Richmond, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Franklin, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.31 one way
$24.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $13.46 | $26.91 |
| premium | $4.70 | $14.57 | $29.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.38 | $34.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.56
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.26 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.89 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Richmond on Thursday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
52°F
Waverly, VA
39 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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Explore more options from Richmond, VA or browse trips ending in Franklin, VA.
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