Alexandria, VA to Mount Hermon, VA is 236 miles and takes about 5h 14m via US 29 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region, offering a relatively straightforward drive. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, it's a good option for a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path without extensive detours. You'll experience a blend of driving conditions, making it neither entirely highway nor entirely rural.
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
118 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
80 mi
1h 38m
I 95
41 mi
48m
Wards Road
30.7 mi
38m
Constitution Highway
21.6 mi
30m
Plank Road
12.5 mi
18m
Gordonsville Road
8.2 mi
12m
James Madison Highway
7.9 mi
11m
Richmond Highway
6.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 80 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,913 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~363 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Mount Hermon, 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 right at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 130BToward VA 3 West: CulpeperUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
15
Merge onto VA 3
12 mi·18 min·Plank Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
498 ft·15 sec
17
Merge onto VA 20
22 mi·30 min·Constitution Highway
18
Continue on VA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Berry Hill Road
19
Turn left onto US 15
0.3 mi·47 sec·Caroline Street
20
Continue on US 15
7.9 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
21
Continue on US 15
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Gordon Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto VA 231
121 ft·1 sec·West Gordon Avenue
23
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi·2 min·West Gordon Avenue
24
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi·12 min·Gordonsville Road
25
Continue on VA 22
5.3 mi·9 min·Louisa Road
26
Turn straight onto US 250
2.1 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 64 West
28
Merge onto I 64
6.0 mi·6 min·I 64
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 29 South
30
Merge onto US 29
59 mi·1 hr 12 min·US 29
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 460 West: Lynchburg, Danville
32
Merge onto US 29; US 460
6.4 mi·8 min·Richmond Highway
33
Take the exit onto US 29
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 29
Toward US 29 South
34
Merge onto US 29
31 mi·38 min·Wards Road
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
15 mi·18 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the left lane.
36
Continue on US 29
5.0 mi·6 min·US 29
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto SR 863
2.0 mi·4 min·R & L Smith Drive
38
Turn left onto SR 864
2.1 mi·3 min·Hunting Hills Road
39
At end of road, turn left onto VA 41
374 ft·9 sec·Franklin Turnpike
40
Turn right
50 ft·5 sec
41
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip taking just over 5 hours, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll have a good opportunity for one planned stop, perhaps around the halfway point or where you transition between major roads like US 29 and I-95. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading into potentially less service-heavy stretches. The longest stretch on US 29 is 80 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration on a non-interstate road before departing.
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 118 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Hermon, 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 236 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 29 for about 80 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 212.1 — 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.
7
47.6 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward VA 3 West: Culpeper
7
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 29 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.54 one way
$75.07 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$40.93
$81.86
premium
$4.78
$44.40
$88.81
diesel
$5.35
$49.71
$99.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.78
$11.33
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.65
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.04
$15.10
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Rain Showers
S 2 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mount Hermon, VA
Afternoon
in Mount Hermon on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 7 mph4% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 14m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 170.9
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 203.5
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$30
near mile 81.4
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 54% highway share, meaning you'll spend roughly half the trip on faster-paced roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 80 miles on US 29. Expect a mix of conditions, with some segments offering more rural cruising and others featuring denser traffic or more frequent exits, particularly as you transition between I-95 and US 29. The profile is described as mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for varying speed limits and road types.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 32 significant decision points across 236 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
945 ft37 ft
Total Climb
1,250 ft
Total Descent
598 ft
Highest Point
945 ft
~185.4 mi in
Elevation Range
908 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Alexandria, VA to Mount Hermon, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Danville
174 mi in|~3h 52m|via US 29
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 236 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Mount Hermon, 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 7 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 — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Hermon, VA before the return drive.
