Trip from Stanley, VA to Richmond, VA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

117 mi

188 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 25m ★

6 AM

2h 35m

8 AM

2h 56m

10 AM

2h 43m

12 PM

2h 41m

3 PM

2h 44m

5 PM

2h 55m

8 PM

2h 29m

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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Stanley, VA

Big Bag Films

Trip Overview

This 117-mile drive from Stanley, VA to Richmond, VA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily travel on I-64, Spotswood Trail, and US-340, with about 55% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18. Given its relatively short length and mixed driving profile, it’s well-suited for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stay. This trip takes you through the Southeast region of Virginia, offering a straightforward transition between these two Virginia locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58.5 miles from Stanley, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive features a mixed profile, balancing interstate cruising with more local road navigation. You'll spend about 55% of your time on highways, experiencing a longest continuous stretch of 49.3 miles on I-64. This means you’ll encounter both faster-paced driving and segments where you'll need to adjust to different speed limits and road conditions. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel as you transition between these different types of roadways on your way to Richmond.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near US 33 BUS.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117 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 19 miles (US 33 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.2 miles (US 15; US 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 113.8 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.

19 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 33 BUS

Turn left onto US 33 BUS

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 15; US 33

Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 33

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue

114 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 195 South

115 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton St...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	49.3 mi	54m
Spotswood Trail	30.5 mi	41m
US 340	13.9 mi	21m
James Madison Highway	11 mi	15m
East Main Street	5.1 mi	8m
Stanardsville By-Pass	2.2 mi	3m
West Broad Street	1.5 mi	3m
Beltline Expressway	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 49.3 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 340 BUS

5.1 mi · 8 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 340

14 mi · 21 min · US 340

Turn left onto US 33 BUS

0.3 mi · 38 sec · US 33 BUS

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 33

13 mi · 16 min · Spotswood Trail

Turn straight onto US 33

2.2 mi · 3 min · Stanardsville By-Pass

Continue on US 33

12 mi · 17 min · Spotswood Trail

Enter roundabout onto US 33

167 ft · 3 sec · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33

5.4 mi · 8 min · Spotswood Trail

Continue on US 33; VA 231

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North Main Street

Enter roundabout onto US 15; US 33

72 ft · 0 sec · US 15; US 33

Continue on US 15; US 33

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 15; US 33

Turn slight right onto US 15; US 33

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Martinsburg Avenue

Continue on US 15; US 33

11 mi · 15 min · James Madison Highway

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Merge onto I 64

49 mi · 54 min · I 64

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 186 Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 195 South Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 195

0.7 mi · 1 min · Beltline Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Hamilton Street

Turn left onto US 33; US 250

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broad Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto North Allen Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · North Allen Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle

274 ft · 7 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Arrive at destination

Marcus-David Peters Circle

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just under 2.5 hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility for when you choose to depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day in Richmond, or opt for a mid-day departure to avoid peak traffic. The estimated fuel cost of $18 suggests you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops for gas, but it's always wise to fill up before departing Stanley. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite, perhaps before you hit the longest 49.3-mile stretch on I-64.

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.

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

The halfway point lands around 58.5 miles from Stanley, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 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 26 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 8m

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 Stanley, 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 Stanley, VA

This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Stanley, 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 64 for about 49.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.5 mi from Stanley, VA · 1h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gordonsville, VA

59 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

Elkton, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gordonsville, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Stanley, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$18.30 one way

$36.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$20.01	$40.01
premium	$4.70	$21.65	$43.31
diesel	$5.61	$25.83	$51.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.1	$12.29	$5.62
Efficient EV	29.3	$10.24	$4.68
EV Truck/SUV	46.8	$16.38	$7.49

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Stanley, VA

Night in Stanley on Wednesday

Local time

10:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, VA

Night in Richmond on Wednesday

Local time

10:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°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

22 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 35m 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 Stanley, VA to Richmond, VA covers 117 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Spotswood Trail, US 340. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 58.5 miles from Stanley, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.30 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.