The drive from Tazewell, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 362.1 miles and takes about 6h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 66, US 52 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 218.6 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
181 miles from Tazewell, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 49m. Total distance: 362.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 49m highway drive covering 362.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 218.6 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 218.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.6 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 362.1 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 62.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324.6 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 345.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
6
324.6 mi into trip|~6h in|I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
345.9 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
358.5 mi into trip|~6h 42m 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
360.4 mi into trip|~6h 45m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tazewell, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
281.4 mi in|~5h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
218.6 mi
4h
I 66
64.1 mi
1h 11m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Governor G C Peery Highway
13.3 mi
16m
Capital Beltway
12.1 mi
15m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9.8 mi
11m
US 52 Truck
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 218.6 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tazewell, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on Mill Road
397 ft·19 sec·Mill Road
2
Turn right onto US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
436 ft·7 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 19 BUS; US 460 BUS; VA 16
0.4 mi·44 sec·Fincastle Turnpike
4
Turn left onto VA 16
0.8 mi·1 min·Tazewell Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Bluefield
6
Merge onto US 19; US 460
13 mi·16 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
7
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
9
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
10
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 81
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
15
Continue on I 66
43 mi·46 min·I 66
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
21 mi·25 min·I 66
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 64AToward I 495 South: Richmond, AlexandriaUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 495
12 mi·15 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
22
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
23
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
24
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
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 181 miles from Tazewell, VA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.6 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181 miles or 3h 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 5h 36m
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 Tazewell, 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 Tazewell, VA
This is one driving day of about 362.1 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tazewell, 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 218.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 181 mi from Tazewell, VA
· 3h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 181 miles from Tazewell, 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 218.6 miles.
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.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$30
near mile 237.2
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 124.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 337.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.6
1
$38.02
$17.38
Efficient EV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
EV Truck/SUV
144.8
1
$50.69
$23.17
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tazewell, VA
Morning
in Tazewell on Friday
Local time
7:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
7:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
25 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
6h 49m 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 Tazewell, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 362.1 miles and takes about 6h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 66, US 52. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 181 miles from Tazewell, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.62 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 18 significant decision points across 362.1 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 62.6 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324.6 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 345.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tazewell, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
