Alexandria, VA to Exmore, VA is 196.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m via Lankford Highway, Ocean Highway, and John Hanson Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
98.4 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
Lankford Highway
37.6 mi
54m
Ocean Highway
26.5 mi
36m
John Hanson Highway
23.6 mi
27m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
30m
Sussex Highway
18.9 mi
25m
Shore Highway
13.5 mi
18m
Salisbury Bypass
10.6 mi
12m
Seashore Highway
7.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Lankford Highway
— 37.6 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-695
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,122 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~486 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Exmore, VA.
1
Start on VA 400
0.7 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on GWMP
4.0 mi·8 min·George Washington Memorial Parkway
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 395 North: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 395; US 1
0.4 mi·36 sec·Arland D. Williams Junior Memorial Bridge
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 395
Toward I 395 North: Capitol Hill, Nationals Park, Capital One ArenaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 395
0.2 mi·18 sec·Francis Case Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 395
0.5 mi·54 sec·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
1.9 mi·3 min·Southeast Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 2BToward DC 295 NorthUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto DC 295
2.1 mi·3 min·Anacostia Freeway
11
Continue on DC 295
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: AnnapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 50
24 mi·27 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
22 mi·30 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
6.9 mi·9 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
16
Turn left onto MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Shore Highway
5.3 mi·7 min·Shore Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit onto MD 404 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·MD 404 Business
19
Turn slight right onto MD 404 Business
0.4 mi·50 sec·Franklin Street
20
Turn right onto South 5th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·South 5th Avenue
21
Turn left onto Legion Road
282 ft·7 sec·Legion Road
22
Turn right onto MD 313; MD 404
8.1 mi·11 min·Shore Highway
23
Continue on DE 404
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
24
At end of road, turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·46 sec·Market Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
26
Turn right onto US 13
19 mi·25 min·Sussex Highway
27
Continue on US 13
3.8 mi·5 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
28
Take the exit onto US 13
270 ft·6 sec·US 13
Toward US 13, US 50
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13
0.8 mi·1 min·US 13
Toward US 13, US 50 East: Norfolk, Ocean City
30
Merge onto US 13; US 50
11 mi·12 min·Salisbury Bypass
31
Continue on US 13
0.6 mi·40 sec·South Fruitland Boulevard
32
Continue on US 13
26 mi·36 min·Ocean Highway
33
Continue on US 13
38 mi·54 min·Lankford Highway
34
Turn left onto VA 178
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
35
Turn right onto Westfield Avenue
47 ft·2 sec·Westfield Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
Westfield Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m duration, leaving Alexandria, VA in the morning allows ample time to reach Exmore, VA before evening. Since this is a single-day drive with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is adequately full before departing, especially as the longest stretch is 37.6 miles on Lankford Highway. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway segments to the predominantly surface road profile to manage your speed effectively.
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 98.4 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.6 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 43 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.4 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Exmore, 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 196.7 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 Lankford Highway for about 37.6 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 4.8 and 8.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 395 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 395 North: Washington
8
5.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 395
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 toward I 395 North: Capitol Hill, Nationals Park, Capital One Arena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 395 North: Capitol Hill, Nationals Par...
6
5.8 mi into trip|~12m in|I 395 / Francis Case Memorial Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto I 395 / Francis Case Memorial Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in|I 695 / Southeast Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Southeast Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
8.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward DC 295 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward DC 295 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.29 one way
$62.57 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$34.11
$68.23
premium
$4.78
$37.01
$74.02
diesel
$5.35
$41.43
$82.86
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: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59
0
$20.65
$9.44
Efficient EV
49.2
0
$17.21
$7.87
EV Truck/SUV
78.7
0
$27.54
$12.59
Gas CO2
69 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 May 29, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Exmore, VA
Afternoon
in Exmore on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
N 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Seaford, DE
98 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
3 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
4h 35m 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.
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a low highway share at only 10%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a named road is 37.6 miles on Lankford Highway. You'll notice the transition as you move from more urban-influenced areas with potentially dense exits to more open, rural cruising on surface roads. The bulk of your travel will be on these local arteries.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.6 mi on Lankford Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 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 20 significant decision points across 196.7 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 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles (I 395 / Francis Case Memorial Bridge): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
105 ft13 ft
Total Climb
146 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
105 ft
~28.1 mi in
Elevation Range
92 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alexandria, VA and Exmore, VA, road signs point toward Rehoboth and Ocean City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 196.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.6 miles on Lankford Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Exmore, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles (I 395 / Francis Case Memorial Bridge): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Assateague Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Exmore, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
