This 163.2-mile journey from Alexandria, VA, to Farmville, VA, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, it's an accessible drive for most budgets. You'll navigate through familiar Southeast regions of Virginia, staying primarily on local roads with no highway segments. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging drive than a straight interstate cruise. This trip is well-suited for a leisurely day out, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
81.6 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
92 mi
1h 44m
Patrick Henry Highway
17.1 mi
21m
Hull Street Road
13.9 mi
20m
Powhite Parkway
10.8 mi
13m
Holly Farms Road
9.2 mi
12m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
US 460
4 mi
4m
US 460 BUS
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 92 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,283 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,892
Quietest
2 AM
~449 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
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 Farmville, 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
55 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 79Toward I 195 South, I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the slight left lane.
15
Continue on I 195
2.1 mi·2 min·Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
2.2 mi·3 min·Powhite Parkway
Toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite ParkwayUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
1.0 mi·1 min·E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway)
18
Merge onto VA 76
8.6 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward VA 288 South: Amelia, ChesterfieldUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto VA 288
1.9 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 360 West: Hull Street Road, Amelia
23
Merge onto US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 360
17 mi·21 min·Patrick Henry Highway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
26
Merge onto VA 307
9.2 mi·12 min·Holly Farms Road
27
Take the exit
457 ft·12 sec
28
Merge onto US 460
4.0 mi·4 min·US 460
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 BUS
2.5 mi·4 min·US 460 BUS
30
Turn left onto South Street
198 ft·10 sec·South Street
31
Turn uturn
204 ft·22 sec
32
At end of road, turn left
18 ft·3 sec
33
Turn right
71 ft·5 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 25-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature of this 163.2-mile route, starting your drive in Alexandria, VA, earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel, especially since there are no long highway stretches where you can easily pull over. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the frequent turns mean it's easy to miss a crucial direction. The $26 fuel cost is manageable, but ensure your tank is adequately full before departing Alexandria to avoid unnecessary detours.
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 81.6 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 37m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmville, 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 163.2 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 92 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 163.2 — 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
8
98.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
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.
Exit 79
Toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
8
101.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward SR 160, US 60, US 360: Powhite Parkway
8
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.96 one way
$51.92 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$28.30
$56.61
premium
$4.78
$30.71
$61.41
diesel
$5.35
$34.37
$68.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49
0
$17.14
$7.83
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.28
$6.53
EV Truck/SUV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Evening
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
NE 7 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Farmville, VA
Evening
in Farmville on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
78°F
Bon Air, VA
82 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 25m 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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 118.2
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 163.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 163.2-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be actively navigating through towns and local streets, guided by segments like King Street, South Saint Asaph Street, and Gibbon Street. Without long highway stretches, the drive will feel continuous and require your attention to navigation. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch further emphasizes the constant need for directional awareness, offering a very hands-on driving experience from start to finish.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Patrick Henry Highway. 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 30 significant decision points across 163.2 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 98.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
455 ft37 ft
Total Climb
677 ft
Total Descent
405 ft
Highest Point
455 ft
~151.6 mi in
Elevation Range
418 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 Farmville, VA, road signs point toward Chesterfield and Amelia.
Farmville is a college town in Virginia. Its economy is largely based on Longwood University and nearby Hampden-Sydney College. It is home to about 7,000 people (census, 1 April 2020)
Top landmarks
•Robert Russa Moton Museum — high school in Farmville, Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 163.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92 miles on I 95. 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 Farmville, 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 98.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
