This 191.4-mile drive from Alexandria, VA to Bracey, VA will take you approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes. It's a straightforward trip primarily on I-95 and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, with 96% of the journey on highways, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this route is quite budget-friendly. You'll primarily be in the Southeast region, staying within Virginia for the entire journey. The overall feel is a highway-focused drive, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
95.7 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
95.6 mi
1h 49m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
88.2 mi
1h 40m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
SR 903
0.6 mi
1m
South Washington Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Patrick Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Gibbon Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South Saint Asaph Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 95.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Bracey, 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 left at fork onto I 95
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
24 mi·30 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Exit 51Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward SR 903: Bracey, Lake Gaston
16
Turn left onto SR 903
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 903
17
Continue on Bracey Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Bracey Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Bracey Drive
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 44 minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Aim to depart Alexandria early to avoid potential Capital Beltway traffic. With only one designated stop and a longest stretch of 95.6 miles on I-95, you can plan for a single fuel and rest break midway. The estimated fuel cost is $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from Capital Beltway (Local) to I-95 to ensure you're on the most efficient path.
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 95.7 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.6 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 42 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 53m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bracey, 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 191.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 I 95 for about 95.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 126.2 — 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 left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
126.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.93 one way
$59.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.73
$65.45
premium
$4.70
$35.42
$70.85
diesel
$5.61
$42.26
$84.52
Estimated Tolls: $6.18
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(64.2 mi)$4.50
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(24 mi)$1.68
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
Efficient EV
47.9
0
$16.75
$7.66
EV Truck/SUV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 17, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
W 6 to 13 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bracey, VA
Morning
in Bracey on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
18 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
3h 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 132
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route. You'll spend about 96% of your travel time on major roadways, including I-95 and the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 95.6 miles on I-95, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While mostly highway, the Capital Beltway (Local) segment at the beginning will likely offer a slightly different driving dynamic before you merge onto the faster interstates. This drive is designed for covering distance with minimal fuss.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 191.4 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 191.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.18 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bracey, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 — Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bracey, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
