Origin
Alexandria, VA
Morning in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, VA to Farmville, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
163.2 mi
263 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Farmville, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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
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, Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South, I 495 West
Use 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 79
Toward I 195 South, I 64 West: Charlottesville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 195 South
Use 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 Parkway
Use 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, Chesterfield
Use 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from Alexandria, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 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
$25.52 one way
$51.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.90 | $55.81 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.20 | $60.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.03 | $72.07 |
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Farmville, VA
Morning in Farmville on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
20 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
3h 25m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 163.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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 Effort
10/10
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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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.
Chesterfield
113 mi in
|
~2h 15m
Amelia
115.8 mi in
|
~2h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Alexandria, VA
Full guide →Alexandria is a city in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., in the United States.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
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.
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 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. 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 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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