Origin
Stafford, VA
Night in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
11:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stafford, VA to Alexandria, VA
Drive Time
50m
Distance
38.9 mi
63 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stafford, VA
Eric Joseph
Alexandria, VA
Jimmy Elizarraras
Trip Overview
Traveling the 38.9 miles from Stafford to Alexandria is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 50 minutes. Because this is a compact, one-day drive within the Southeast region, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. You can expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly commute. The route is primarily highway-focused, utilizing I-95 and the Capital Beltway to connect these two Virginia locations. Whether you are heading north for a quick visit or a day of errands, this drive offers a practical and efficient way to reach your destination.
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
19.5 miles from Stafford, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a significant highway-focused personality, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 34.1 miles directly on I-95. While the majority of the route feels like a standard interstate grind, you will eventually transition onto the Capital Beltway to navigate toward your final stop. The drive concludes with a shift to local streets like Courthouse Road, which provides a brief change of pace from the heavy traffic of the main arteries. Expect a consistent, fast-moving experience until you exit the highway system to reach your specific destination in Alexandria.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 34.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Capital Beltway (Local). This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.8 miles in near I 95.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 38.9 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 29.8 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.3 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
29.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
35.3 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
37.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
8
37.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
6
38.3 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 34.1 mi | 41m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| Courthouse Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Patrick Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Richmond Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 34.1 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on SR 630
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Courthouse Road
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on SR 630
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Courthouse Road
3
Continue on SR 630
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Courthouse Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington
5
Merge onto I 95
29 mi
·
33 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left / none lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto US 1
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richmond Highway
11
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Patrick Street
12
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Given the short 50-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Since the route relies heavily on major corridors like I-95, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure your travel time stays closer to the estimated duration. You won't need to schedule formal stops for this quick trip, but keeping your fuel levels topped off before you hit the interstate is a smart way to avoid unnecessary detours. Since you are spending nearly 35 miles on the highway, pay close attention to real-time traffic updates for the Capital Beltway before you leave. This proactive approach will help you navigate the high-traffic segments of the route with ease.
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 19.5 miles from Stafford, VA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.1 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 38.9 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.5 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stafford, 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 Stafford, VA
This is one driving day of about 38.9 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stafford, 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 I 95 for about 34.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from Stafford, VA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Stafford, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.23 one way
$12.45 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.78 | $13.57 |
| premium | $4.78 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.64 | $17.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Night in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
11:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
68°F
Washington, DC
19 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Stafford, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 38.9 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Capital Beltway (Local), Courthouse Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from Stafford, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.23 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 11 significant decision points across 38.9 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 29.8 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.3 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Stafford, VA to Alexandria, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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