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Trip from Richmond, VA to Gate City, VA

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

346.5 mi

558 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 19m ★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m

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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Downtown Gate City, VA, VA

Gate City, VA

Pham Ngoc Anh

Trip Overview

This 346.5-mile journey from Richmond, VA, to Gate City, VA, is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 6 hours and 30 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways, it's designed as a single-day trip, though you'll want to start early to make good time. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $54, this route focuses on efficient travel across Virginia. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, meaning you'll stay within familiar territory throughout your trip.

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

173.3 miles from Richmond, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the drive taking place on interstates and major roads like I-81 and I-64. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers an impressive 191 miles, primarily on I-81, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the highway share is high, offering a straightforward path, the nature of these main roads means you'll be navigating a consistent, albeit potentially monotonous, driving environment for much of the journey. US 11W offers a slight variation as you approach your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 191 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 346.5 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 1.7 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 16 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 81 191 mi 3h 28m
I 64 130.2 mi 2h 23m
US 11W 9.5 mi 11m
Bloomingdale Pike 5.1 mi 8m
Wadlow Gap Highway 4.7 mi 5m
I 77 1.3 mi 1m
Hermitage Road 1.1 mi 2m
Kane Street 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 191 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, VA and Gate City, 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

74 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 74B Toward US 11W South: Kingsport
14

Merge onto US 11W

9.5 mi · 11 min · US 11W
15

Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road

357 ft · 22 sec · Ollis Bowers Hill Road
16

Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike

5.1 mi · 8 min · Bloomingdale Pike
17

Turn right onto TN 93

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North John B Dennis Highway
18

Continue on SR 93

4.7 mi · 5 min · Wadlow Gap Highway
19

Turn right onto US 23; US 58; US 421

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Main Street
20

Continue on US 23; US 58; US 421

0.7 mi · 1 min · US Highway 23
21

Turn slight right onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS

0.8 mi · 2 min · Kane Street
22

Turn left onto US 23 BUS; US 58 BUS; US 421 BUS

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Jackson Street
23

Turn right onto SR 665

73 ft · 7 sec · Mianville Road
24

Turn left

48 ft · 3 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 30-minute duration, an early morning departure from Richmond is recommended to avoid the bulk of traffic and ensure you reach Gate City with daylight to spare. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest driving stretch of 191 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, budget accordingly. Since this route is designed for a single day, you have flexibility in when you stop. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly on I-81, as it's a heavily traveled corridor.

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 173.3 miles from Richmond, VA, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 173.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gate City, 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 346.5 miles and 6h 30m.

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 191 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 173.3 mi from Richmond, VA · 3h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winston-Salem, NC

173 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 173.3 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 191 miles.

Arriving in Gate City, VA

The final approach into Gate City, 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 Gate City, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument

National Monument

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...

21 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 179.2
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.18 one way

$108.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 121 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $59.25 $118.49
premium $4.70 $64.13 $128.26
diesel $5.61 $76.50 $153.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 104 1 $36.38 $16.63
Efficient EV 86.6 0 $30.32 $13.86
EV Truck/SUV 138.6 1 $48.51 $22.18

Gas CO2

121 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (66% 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

11:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gate City, VA

Night in Gate City on Tuesday

Local time

11:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°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

7 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 30m 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 Gate City, VA covers 346.5 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 64, US 11W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.3 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 $54.18 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 346.5 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 1.7 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 Gate City, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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