Origin
Buchanan, VA
Morning in Buchanan on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buchanan, VA to Alexandria, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buchanan, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Buchanan to Alexandria covers 214.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 2 minutes. This highway-focused journey is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it connects two points within the Southeast region of Virginia. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $34 to complete the trip. Because the route relies heavily on major interstates, it is a straightforward transit rather than a leisurely backroad tour. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable enough that you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace.
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
107.4 miles from Buchanan, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 78.9 mi | 1h 26m |
| I 66 | 64.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 11 | 53.5 mi | 57m |
| Capital Beltway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lee Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 78.9 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on this road
110 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 11
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lee Highway
4
Take the ramp onto US 11
54 mi
·
57 min
·
US 11
5
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64; I 81
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
79 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 81
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
8
Continue on I 66
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 66
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 66
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 495
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
15
Merge onto US 1
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richmond Highway
16
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Patrick Street
17
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour drive, you can easily complete it in one go, but incorporating at least one planned stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the reliance on I-81 and I-66, try to avoid peak commuting hours near Alexandria to prevent unnecessary delays in your arrival time. Keep your $34 fuel budget in mind as you plan your refueling strategy, ensuring you fill up before hitting the busiest stretches of the highway. Because the route is compact, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor local traffic reports for I-66, as congestion levels can fluctuate significantly as you approach the Northern Virginia area.
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 107.4 miles from Buchanan, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.9 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 47 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Buchanan, 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 81 for about 78.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Buchanan, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.9 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 177.3 and 213.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
177.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
I 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
198.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 64A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
8
211.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
213.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
6
213.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.59 one way
$67.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $36.73 | $73.45 |
| premium | $4.70 | $39.75 | $79.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.43 | $94.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Alexandria, VA
Morning in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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
4h 2m 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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 133.3
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$30
near mile 96.3
View on nps.gov
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!
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 192.6
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 92% of this route consisting of highway driving, you will spend the vast majority of your time on I-81, I-66, and sections of US-11. Expect a consistent interstate pace, punctuated by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.9 miles along I-81. The transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving efficiently, though you should be prepared for the typical rhythm of high-speed transit. This isn't a technical, winding mountain road, but rather a practical, high-throughput corridor. You will find that the personality of the road remains steady and predictable, allowing you to settle into a comfortable driving cadence for the duration of the 214.8-mile journey.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 177.3 miles in near I 66.
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 12 significant decision points across 214.8 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 177.3 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,630 ft
37 ft
Total Climb
1,400 ft
Total Descent
2,219 ft
Highest Point
1,630 ft
~44.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,593 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Buchanan, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.
Washington
134.1 mi in
|
~2h 26m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 4h 2m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m 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 78.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Alexandria, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 177.3 miles (I 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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