Amherst, VA Road Trips

Amherst, VA serves as a quiet starting point in the Southeast, connecting drivers to 3 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 101-mile quick runs to 180-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Amherst, VA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

10

Longest Drive

206.6 mi

Virginia Beach, VA

Quickest Drive

1h 34m

Roanoke, VA

Plan Around Amherst, VA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Amherst, VA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Virginia Beach, VA to Amherst, VA 206.6 mi · 4h 28m Norfolk, VA to Amherst, VA 192.5 mi · 4h 11m Chesapeake, VA to Amherst, VA 191.9 mi · 4h 13m Hampton, VA to Amherst, VA 176.2 mi · 3h 45m

Continue From Amherst, VA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Amherst, VA to East Hampton, VA 180.4 mi · 3h 48m Amherst, VA to Arlington, VA 158.7 mi · 3h 33m Amherst, VA to Richmond, VA 101.1 mi · 2h 17m

Trips from Amherst, VA

Amherst, VA to East Hampton, VA

180.4 mi 3h 48m

Amherst, VA to Arlington, VA

158.7 mi 3h 33m

Amherst, VA to Richmond, VA

101.1 mi 2h 17m

Driving from Amherst, VA

The typical drive from Amherst, VA covers about 147 miles and takes around 3h 13m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 180 miles (3h 48m), while the shortest is just 101 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Amherst, VA most often head toward East Hampton, VA (180.4 mi, 3h 48m), Arlington, VA (158.7 mi, 3h 33m), and Richmond, VA (101.1 mi, 2h 17m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in VA currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 147-mile trip from Amherst, VA, budget about $23 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 3 mapped routes leaving Amherst, VA and 7 routes heading into Amherst, VA, covering 10 total connections. Distances range from 101 to 180 miles.

The longest mapped route from Amherst, VA covers 180 miles and takes approximately 3h 48m. Shorter options start at just 101 miles.

The average route from Amherst, VA runs about 147 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 13m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 147-mile trip from Amherst, VA costs roughly $23 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Amherst, VA include East Hampton, VA, Arlington, VA and Richmond, VA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Amherst, VA by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

2,124

Median Income

$71,313

Median Home Value

$213,300

Median Age

44.6

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Amherst, VA

Amherst is a town in Central Virginia.

The Appalachian Trail which is in the eastern part of Amherst County, provides over 50 miles of maintained trails and shelters. The AT can be easily accessed for day and multiple day hikes via route 130 at the 'Foot Bridge' which crosses the James River into Bedford County and also route 60 at Long Mountain Wayside. Endstation Theatre Company (Sweet Briar College), 134 Chapel Road, ☏ +1 434 826-0391. Put on annually by Endstation Theatre Company, resident theatre company of Sweet Briar College. Features outdoor theatre. Adults $15-$22, Students $7-$15.

The Briar Patch on Business 29 in Amherst is a nice bar/restaurant serving American fare for lunch and dinner. El Mariachi is in the Ambriar Shopping Center and features a Tex-Mex menu. There are several fast food eating options either on Business 29 or less than a 1/4 of mile off business 29 McDonalds, Subway, and Hardee's. Madison Heights (southern Amherst County). La Carreta is a local favorite and serves a Tex-Mex menu Country Cooking is a budget option for a 'sit down' meal and the eatery has a full salad bar. Pizza Wings and Things as the name suggests you can get pizza and other things located just south of route 130 and 29 intersection. There are many fast food options on route 29 in Madison Heights. Such as McDonald's, Arby's, Hardee's, KFC, and Dairy Queen. There is also a Pizza Hut across from Walmart.

Amherst is accessible by three major roads. Route 29 runs north and south through Amherst County. Route 60 runs east and west through the county. Finally Route 130 runs east and west and is at the southern end of Amherst County. Amherst Town is at the intersection of Routes 29 and 60.

Driving is the major form of travel used by both visitors and residents. Mass transportation does serve sections of the southern end of the county. Biking and walking is possible, however the shoulders on the roads are generally small. Hiking is a popular option as thousands pass through Amherst County while hiking the Applachian Trail that runs north and south in the eastern section of the county.

Travel tips adapted from Amherst (Virginia) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.