Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
204.1 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
The drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 204.1 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pacific Avenue, 22nd Street, Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
102 miles from Virginia Beach, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 11m drive with frequent turns across 204.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 22nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hampton Roads Beltway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 295 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 295 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia Beach, VA and Alexandria, VA.
Start on 25th Street
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
Turn right onto 22nd Street
Continue on Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 13: Newtown Road, Richmond, Military Highway
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 13: Richmond, Military Highway
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton, Richmond
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
Merge slight right
Keep slight right
Keep slight left
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Alexandria
Merge slight left onto Richmond Highway
Continue on South Patrick Street
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Turn left onto South Washington Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 1h 35m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA
This is one driving day of about 204.1 miles and 3h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102 mi from Virginia Beach, VA · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 102 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$31.83 one way
$63.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $35.59 | $71.18 |
| premium | $4.78 | $38.39 | $76.79 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $45.19 | $90.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.57 | $13.06 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Virginia Beach on Saturday
Local time
8:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
8:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Middletown, MD
102 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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