Driving from Ashburn to Richmond covers 117.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. This highway-focused route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the journey, which keeps this trip budget-friendly for most travelers. You will navigate through Northern Virginia before heading further into the Southeast region, transitioning from suburban corridors to the state capital. Because the drive is straightforward, it serves as a highly practical connection between these two Virginia hubs.
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
58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
81.8 mi
1h 32m
Ox Road
8.7 mi
12m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
Sully Road
6.6 mi
8m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
Waxpool Road
1.8 mi
3m
Farmwell Road
1.3 mi
2m
Ashburn Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashburn, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 641
1.2 mi·2 min·Ashburn Road
2
Turn left onto SR 625
1.3 mi·2 min·Farmwell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on SR 625
1.8 mi·3 min·Waxpool Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward VA 28 South: Dulles Airport
5
Merge onto VA 28
6.6 mi·8 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
14
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
17
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
22
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
23
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
24
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
26
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this 117.4-mile trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the worst of the regional congestion. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the 2-hour and 32-minute duration and keep your focus sharp. Given the heavy reliance on I-95, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports, as this corridor is known for sudden delays that can impact your arrival time. You should budget $19 for fuel, but filling up before hitting the interstate may help you avoid higher service station prices. Since you only need one stop, choose a location mid-way through your I-95 stretch to maximize your driving momentum.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Ashburn, VA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 26 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ashburn, 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 Ashburn, VA
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ashburn, 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 81.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 115.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
8
11.7 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
12 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
6
15.4 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway
7
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.36 one way
$36.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.07
$40.15
premium
$4.70
$21.73
$43.46
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Ashburn, VA
Late night
in Ashburn on Sunday
Local time
3:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 8 to 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
3:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
NW 3 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Woodbridge, VA
59 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
5 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 32m 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.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 117.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway driving, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will begin by navigating local paths like Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway before merging onto I-95 for the bulk of your travel. Be prepared for a significant 81.8-mile stretch on I-95, which stands as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The personality of the road shifts from the dense, suburban traffic patterns near Ashburn to the more consistent pace of the interstate. Overall, the experience is functional and direct, prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration.
79% 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: 81.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Ox Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 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 21 significant decision points across 117.4 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
431 ft66 ft
Total Climb
462 ft
Total Descent
542 ft
Highest Point
431 ft
~16.8 mi in
Elevation Range
365 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 Ashburn, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfax along the way.
Fairfax
11.5 mi in|~18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Richmond, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and 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 Richmond, VA before heading back.
