Alexandria, VA to Rushmere, VA is 167.7 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and James River Drive, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route is a mix of major highway and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion. You'll appreciate the straightforward path that doesn't require an overnight stay, 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
83.8 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
85.8 mi
1h 37m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.1 mi
29m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi
6m
East Hundred Road
2.9 mi
3m
West Randolph Road
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,172 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~455 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
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 Rushmere, 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
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
17
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
18
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
19
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
20
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
21
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
22
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
23
Continue on VA 10
1.3 mi·1 min·Old Stage Highway
24
Turn left onto SR 703
94 ft·4 sec·Fergusons Wharf Way
25
Arrive at destination
SR 703
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour drive, aim to leave Alexandria in the morning to avoid the worst traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $28 estimated cost suggests a few fill-ups might be necessary, especially before heading onto the longer highway stretches. Plan to refuel before you hit the longest 85.8-mile section on I 95 to ensure a smooth continuation of your drive.
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 83.8 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rushmere, 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 167.7 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 85.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 121.3 — 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.
8
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
7
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.67 one way
$53.35 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$29.08
$58.17
premium
$4.78
$31.55
$63.11
diesel
$5.35
$35.32
$70.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
EV Truck/SUV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 19, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rushmere, VA
Afternoon
in Rushmere on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
62°F
Fair Oaks, VA
84 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 17m 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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 161.9
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 121.4
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 167.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 51% highway. You'll spend the longest stretch, 85.8 miles, on I 95 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a shift from high-speed highway cruising to a more varied pace as you navigate through more developed areas with frequent exits and then potentially more open stretches.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 95.
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 19 significant decision points across 167.7 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 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
Mostly flat terrain
247 ft37 ft
Total Climb
370 ft
Total Descent
334 ft
Highest Point
247 ft
~59.9 mi in
Elevation Range
210 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 Rushmere, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 167.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Rushmere, 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 — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Rushmere, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
