Alexandria, VA to Ettrick, VA is 126.8 miles and takes about 2h 35m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Virginia and the Southeast region, offering a straightforward trip. With 92% of the drive on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. This is a single-day trip, so you can plan to depart and arrive on the same day without needing an overnight stay.
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
63.4 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
95.6 mi
1h 49m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
21.4 mi
27m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
East River Road
0.8 mi
1m
Hamilton Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Dupuy Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
East Westover Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 95.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,903
Quietest
2 AM
~444 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Ettrick, 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
21 mi·27 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 54Toward VA 144: Temple AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto VA 144
217 ft·4 sec·Temple Avenue
16
Continue on VA 144
0.2 mi·31 sec·Temple Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto Hamilton Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Hamilton Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto East Westover Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Westover Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 1; US 301
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto Dupuy Avenue
0.4 mi·37 sec·Dupuy Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on SR 1107
0.6 mi·1 min·East River Road
22
Continue on East River Road
0.1 mi·31 sec·East River Road
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East River Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 35m duration, leaving Alexandria, VA in the morning or early afternoon is ideal to avoid peak traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 126.8 miles, you have flexibility. The longest stretch is 95.6 miles on I 95, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the halfway point, as the $21 budget suggests a focus on efficiency.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 17m 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, 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 126.8 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 123.7 — 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.
7
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward VA 144: Temple Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 54
Toward VA 144: Temple Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.17 one way
$40.34 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$21.99
$43.98
premium
$4.78
$23.86
$47.71
diesel
$5.35
$26.71
$53.42
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(21.4 mi)$1.50
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
$20
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.31
$6.09
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.10
$5.07
EV Truck/SUV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.12
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of May 24, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Cloudy
E 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:57PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:52PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Ettrick, VA
Afternoon
in Ettrick on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 3 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:57PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:52PM EDT until May 25 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
82°F
Bowling Green, VA
63 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 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
2h 35m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 126.8
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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 92% of the 126.8 miles on roads like I 95. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 95.6 miles, also on I 95. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising, with a significant portion of the drive before encountering surface roads. Expect dense exits and merging traffic typical of major interstates.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 126.8 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 2h 35m. Total distance: 126.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 $1.50 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.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas 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 Ettrick, 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 14 rest areas 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 — Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ettrick, VA before heading back.
