Alexandria, VA to Altavista, VA is 200.4 miles and takes about 4h 30m via US 29 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily follows US 29 and I-95, offering a direct path through Virginia's Southeast region. Expect a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with some stretches on main roads. Given the relatively short duration, this journey is well-suited for a single day of travel. Plan for a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
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
100.2 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
60.2 mi
1h 13m
I 95
41 mi
48m
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi
30m
Wards Road
15.8 mi
21m
Plank Road
12.5 mi
18m
Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi
12m
James Madison Highway
7.9 mi
11m
Richmond Highway
6.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 60.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Altavista, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
75 ft·6 sec·South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto King Street
314 ft·14 sec·King Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Saint Asaph Street
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
334 ft·18 sec·Duke Street
5
Turn left onto VA 400
0.2 mi·50 sec·South Washington Street
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Gibbon Street
7
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Patrick Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
438 ft·10 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 WestUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; I 495
5.0 mi·6 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
37 mi·43 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 130BToward VA 3 West: CulpeperUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
15
Merge onto VA 3
12 mi·18 min·Plank Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
498 ft·15 sec
17
Merge onto VA 20
22 mi·30 min·Constitution Highway
18
Continue on VA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Berry Hill Road
19
Turn left onto US 15
0.3 mi·47 sec·Caroline Street
20
Continue on US 15
7.9 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
21
Continue on US 15
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Gordon Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto VA 231
121 ft·1 sec·West Gordon Avenue
23
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi·2 min·West Gordon Avenue
24
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi·12 min·Gordonsville Road
25
Continue on VA 22
5.3 mi·9 min·Louisa Road
26
Turn straight onto US 250
2.1 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 64 West
28
Merge onto I 64
6.0 mi·6 min·I 64
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 29 South
30
Merge onto US 29
59 mi·1 hr 12 min·US 29
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
32
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi·8 min·Richmond Highway
33
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 29
Toward US 29 South
34
Merge onto US 29
16 mi·21 min·Wards Road
35
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
36
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
37
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
38
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
39
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
40
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
Trip Plan
For this 200.4-mile drive, leaving Alexandria, VA in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. With a 4h 30m estimated duration, you could comfortably complete this trip in one day. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch and refuel, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 60 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between I-95 and US 29, as services might be more spaced out on certain segments.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.2 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.2 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, VA
This is one driving day of about 200.4 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Alexandria, 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 US 29 for about 60.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 47.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 49...
8
1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
6
6.6 mi into trip|~11m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
43.8 mi into trip|~55m in|I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.6 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.34 one way
$62.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$34.27
$68.53
premium
$4.70
$37.09
$74.18
diesel
$5.61
$44.25
$88.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
EV Truck/SUV
80.2
1
$28.06
$12.83
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altavista, VA
Morning
in Altavista on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 172.7
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 200.4
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$30
near mile 82.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive, with 54% of it on highways. You'll encounter a significant 60.2-mile stretch on US 29, which will feel like a more continuous journey compared to city driving. The drive transitions between the faster pace of I-95 and the more varied character of US 29. This combination means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and segments that may involve more local traffic or slower speeds. Prepare for a dynamic driving experience that changes pace as you progress.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.2 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 31 significant decision points across 200.4 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 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Alexandria, VA to Altavista, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 200.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.2 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Altavista, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Altavista, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
