Origin
Williamsburg, VA
Evening in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 4m
Distance
53.2 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, VA
Eric Joseph
Traveling between Williamsburg and Richmond is a straightforward 53.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Because the route is short and manageable, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the one-way transit, making it a highly budget-friendly commute within the Southeast region of Virginia. Since the entire trip stays within the same regional boundaries, you won't experience significant shifts in climate or terrain. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a change of pace, this direct connection is designed for efficiency. It is an ideal option for travelers who prefer a quick transition between cities without the need for complex travel logistics.
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
26.6 miles from Williamsburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your trip—48.2 miles—cruising along I-64, which provides a consistent and predictable pace for the duration of the ride. Transitioning from the interstate into the city, you will navigate North Henry Street and North Lombardy Street to reach your final destination. Expect a straightforward experience behind the wheel, as the route lacks technical curves or winding backroads. It is a functional, high-speed corridor that prioritizes getting you to Richmond as quickly as possible rather than offering a leisurely scenic tour.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and North Henry Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Scotland Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.2 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 0.2 miles (Scotland Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (VA 143 / Capitol Landing Road): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Scotland Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132 / North Henry Street
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto VA 143 / Capitol Landing Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1, US 301: Chamberlayne Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 48.2 mi | 53m |
| North Henry Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Lombardy Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Brook Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Landing Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Admiral Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Boundary Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Monument Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, VA and Richmond, VA.
Start on VA 5
Turn left onto South Boundary Street
Continue on North Boundary Street
Turn right onto Scotland Street
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132
At end of road, turn left onto VA 143
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn right onto Chamberlayne Avenue
Continue on Brook Road
Turn left onto Admiral Street
Enter roundabout onto North Lombardy Street
Continue on North Lombardy Street
Turn slight right onto Monument Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1-hour and 4-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Since this route is essentially a single uninterrupted stretch on I-64, there is no need to worry about planning for intermediate stops or rest areas unless you choose to take one. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at $9, allowing you to focus your travel funds elsewhere during your stay. To ensure the smoothest experience, check local traffic reports for I-64 before leaving, as highway-heavy routes can occasionally experience congestion. Embracing the simplicity of this short drive means you can easily tailor your arrival time to fit your specific itinerary in 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.
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 53.2 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.6 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 53.2 miles and 1h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.6 mi from Williamsburg, VA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 53.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.6 miles from Williamsburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$8.51 one way
$17.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $9.28 | $18.55 |
| premium | $4.78 | $10.01 | $20.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16 | 0 | $5.59 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.45 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
86°F
Middletown, MD
27 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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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