Origin
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, VA to Woodlake, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
119.1 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Woodlake, VA
Daniel Żabiński
Trip Overview
This 119.1-mile drive from Alexandria, VA, to Woodlake, VA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of the journey on major interstates like I-95 and the Capital Beltway. Expect a fuel cost of around $19 for this journey. Given its efficiency and focus on primary roadways, this trip is ideal for those seeking a straightforward transit between these two points within Virginia.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Alexandria, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 92 mi | 1h 44m |
| Powhite Parkway | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 5 mi | 6m |
| Beltline Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Woolridge Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Watermill Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Old Hundred Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| E-ZPass Only (Powhite Parkway) | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 92 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, VA and Woodlake, 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
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Powhite Parkway
19
Continue on VA 76
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 5583
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Watermill Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on SR 668
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Woolridge Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 4329
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Timber Bluff Parkway
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto SR 4337
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakebluff Parkway
24
At end of road, turn left onto SR 3600
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Woodlake Village Parkway
25
Turn right
344 ft
·
25 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is a manageable 2 hours and 26 minutes, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour traffic leaving the Alexandria area. With no designated stops mentioned, you can decide on your own breaks, but keep in mind the longest stretch on I-95 is 92 miles, so plan a quick fuel or rest stop if needed. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin.
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 59.5 miles from Alexandria, VA, or about 1h 12m 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 12m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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 119.1 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Alexandria, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.5 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 101.3 — 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
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
7
98.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 195 South
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.62 one way
$37.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.36 | $40.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.04 | $44.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.30 | $52.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.51 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.42 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.67 | $7.62 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Woodlake, VA
Afternoon in Woodlake on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
60 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
14 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
2h 26m 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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 119.1
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, with 92% of the drive utilizing high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 92 miles on I-95, indicating a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. This profile suggests a drive where efficiency and covering distance are the main objectives, with minimal deviations into slower, local roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Powhite Parkway. 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 21 significant decision points across 119.1 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.
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 26m. Total distance: 119.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Woodlake, 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. 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodlake, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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