Trip from Stafford, VA to Richmond, VA

Drive Time

1h 16m

Distance

64.8 mi

104 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 11m ★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m

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

Downtown Stafford, VA, VA

Stafford, VA

Eric Joseph

Trip Overview

Stretching 64.8 miles between Stafford and Richmond, this straightforward trip across Virginia is a quick trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Because the distance is so manageable, you can easily complete the journey as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $10 for fuel, making this an economical option for travel within the Southeast. The path relies heavily on major arteries, ensuring a direct connection between the two cities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short change of scenery, this route offers a reliable, no-fuss experience that won't require extensive planning.

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

32.4 miles from Stafford, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is a classic highway-focused experience, with 95% of your travel spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-95, which accounts for a 61.3-mile stretch of the journey. As you transition off the interstate, the character of the road shifts slightly as you utilize Hermitage Road and Courthouse Road to reach your final destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel, as the route prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. It is a functional, point-to-point drive designed to get you from Stafford to Richmond with minimal deviation.

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 61.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Hermitage Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near I 95.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
7 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
5
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Turn right onto VA 161 / North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
64.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | Marcus-David Peters Circle

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 61.3 mi 1h 8m
Hermitage Road 1.1 mi 2m
Courthouse Road 1 mi 2m
North Meadow Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Robin Hood Road 0.2 mi <1m
Monument Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Marcus-David Peters Circle <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 61.3 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, VA and Richmond, 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

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Courthouse Road
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
5

Merge onto I 95

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 95
Use the none lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

56 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 95
Use the none lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec
Exit 78 Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn right onto VA 161

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9

Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Robin Hood Road
10

Turn right onto Hermitage Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hermitage Road
11

Continue on North Meadow Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Meadow Street
12

Turn left onto Monument Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
13

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

81 ft · 2 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
14

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of this 64.8-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning around peak traffic on I-95 is always a smart move. Since there are no designated stops required for a drive of just over an hour, you can easily handle this stretch in one go without needing a formal break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Stafford to ensure you don't need to stop, keeping your $10 fuel budget on track. If you find yourself hitting heavy congestion on the interstate, remember that utilizing Courthouse Road or Hermitage Road can provide a necessary change of pace as you navigate the final miles into Richmond.

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 32.4 miles from Stafford, VA, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.3 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 64.8 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.4 miles or 37m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 64.8 miles and 1h 16m.

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 61.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.4 mi from Stafford, VA · 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

32 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Stafford, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.3 miles.

Arriving in Richmond, VA

The final approach into Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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

$10.37 one way

$20.74 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $11.30 $22.60
premium $4.78 $12.19 $24.38
diesel $5.64 $14.40 $28.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.4 0 $6.80 $3.11
Efficient EV 16.2 0 $5.67 $2.59
EV Truck/SUV 25.9 0 $9.07 $4.15

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Stafford, VA

Night in Stafford on Sunday

Local time

10:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Sunday

Local time

10:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

32 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

23 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

1h 16m 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 Richmond, VA covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Hermitage Road, 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 32.4 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 $10.37 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Stafford, VA to Richmond, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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