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Trip from Alexandria, VA to Tappahannock, VA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

87.5 mi

141 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Alexandria, VA, VA

Alexandria, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Tappahannock, VA, VA

Tappahannock, VA

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Trip Overview

This 87.5-mile drive from Alexandria, VA, to Tappahannock, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate primarily along the Tidewater Trail, Crain Highway, and James Madison Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Southeast region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a high-speed transit. It's perfect for a relaxed day out, allowing you to appreciate the local scenery without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tidewater Trail 25.8 mi 32m
Crain Highway 17.7 mi 25m
James Madison Parkway 17.1 mi 23m
Indian Head Highway 9.6 mi 13m
Middletown Road 4.2 mi 7m
Berry Road 3.9 mi 5m
Turkey Hill Road 2.1 mi 5m
Capital Beltway (Local) 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Tidewater Trail — 25.8 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Tappahannock, 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 left at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 495 West: Baltimore, Richmond
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: National Harbor
12

Merge onto I 95; I 495

1.8 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Exit 3A Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on this road

1.1 mi · 2 min · this road
Exit 3A Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward MD 210 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto MD 210

9.6 mi · 13 min · Indian Head Highway
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on MD 228

3.9 mi · 5 min · Berry Road
18

Turn right onto Middletown Road

3.1 mi · 6 min · Middletown Road
Use the right lane.
19

Enter roundabout onto Middletown Road

114 ft · 2 sec · Middletown Road
20

Continue on Middletown Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Middletown Road
21

Continue on Turkey Hill Road

2.1 mi · 5 min · Turkey Hill Road
22

Merge onto US 301

18 mi · 25 min · Crain Highway
23

Continue on US 301

17 mi · 23 min · James Madison Parkway
24

Continue on US 301

0.7 mi · 1 min · James Madison Memorial Bridge
25

Continue on US 301

0.4 mi · 55 sec · A.P. Hill Boulevard
26

Turn left onto US 17

26 mi · 32 min · Tidewater Trail
Toward Newport News
27

Continue on US 17

0.7 mi · 1 min · Church Lane
28

Continue on US 17; US 360

0.3 mi · 56 sec · Tappahannock Boulevard
29

Arrive at destination

1 ft · 0 sec · US 17; US 360

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration and local road focus, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Tappahannock with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops, plan to fuel up before you leave Alexandria to ensure you have enough for the 87.5 miles, especially with the estimated $14 fuel cost. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns, as they are a defining characteristic of this route. The longest stretch without a turn is 25.8 miles, so be prepared for navigational adjustments.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.8 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 19 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 43.7 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tappahannock, 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 87.5 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Alexandria, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tidewater Trail for about 25.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Plata, MD

44 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

Waldorf, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colonial Beach, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.7 miles from Alexandria, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Java Jacks Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tappahannock, Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18044435225

Visit website

To-Do-Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tappahannock, Virginia

0.4 mi

Del Ray Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alexandria, Virginia

1.4 mi

Java Jacks Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Tappahannock, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18044435225

Visit website

To-Do-Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Tappahannock, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18044432002

Del Ray Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–2:30 pm

+17037179151

Visit website

Jones Soul Food Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tappahannock, Virginia

Galazio Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

La Plata, Maryland

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13013929500

Visit website

El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant in Port Royal Virginia

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Port Royal, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18046507604

Visit website

Asia Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tappahannock, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18044459991

Visit website

Machodoc Creek Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

King George, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15404131007

Visit website

Cameron Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17032128211

Visit website

Escapology Escape Room National Harbor

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+13015501873

Visit website

Mount Vernon Trail

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17032892500

Visit website

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17036832007

Visit website

National Harbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776285427

Visit website

The Awakening

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

The Capital Wheel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Hours: 4–10 pm

+13018428650

Visit website

National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Alexandria, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15712720095

Visit website

American Way Outdoor Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 4.9 — 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...
7
1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 495 West: Baltimore, Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95 North, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 49...
9
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
7
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward MD 210 South: Indian Head

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3A Toward MD 210 South: Indian Head
7
4.9 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MD 210 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MD 210 South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.68 one way

$27.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $14.96 $29.92
premium $4.70 $16.19 $32.39
diesel $5.61 $19.32 $38.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.3 0 $9.19 $4.20
Efficient EV 21.9 0 $7.66 $3.50
EV Truck/SUV 35 0 $12.25 $5.60

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, VA

Morning in Alexandria on Tuesday

Local time

7:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tappahannock, VA

Morning in Tappahannock on Tuesday

Local time

7:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

La Plata, MD

44 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

4 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

2h 9m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 87.5-mile journey, with only 19% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.8 miles along the Tidewater Trail. This means you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through local roads for a significant portion of your trip. The character of the drive shifts as you move, offering a varied experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. It's less about speed and more about the journey through diverse local landscapes.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.8 mi on Tidewater Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 87.5 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

210 ft 12 ft

Total Climb

462 ft

Total Descent

477 ft

Highest Point

210 ft

~18.7 mi in

Elevation Range

198 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 Tappahannock, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Newport News along the way.

Newport News

60.7 mi in | ~1h 33m | via US 17

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 2h 9m. Total distance: 87.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 25.8 miles on Tidewater Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Tappahannock, 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. 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tappahannock, VA before heading back.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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