Connecting Bull Run to Richmond is a straightforward 97.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 1 minute. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Virginia, transitioning you from the northern suburbs toward the state capital. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that serves as an efficient link between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Bull Run, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
73.9 mi
1h 23m
Dumfries Road
13.6 mi
19m
Prince William Parkway
5.9 mi
8m
Sudley Manor Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
North Meadow Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bull Run, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on this road
140 ft·14 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left
360 ft·29 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto SR 1566
1.3 mi·2 min·Sudley Manor Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto VA 234
5.9 mi·8 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·19 min·Dumfries Road
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
7
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
12
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
13
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
14
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
16
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given that the route relies heavily on I-95, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your travel time stays closer to the 2-hour estimate. You won't strictly need to plan for stops given the duration, but keeping the $16 fuel budget in mind will help you manage your vehicle's range before you head out. Because the longest stretch is nearly 74 miles, ensure your tank is sufficiently filled before hitting the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Richmond refreshed and ready for your destination.
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 48.6 miles from Bull Run, VA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 3m 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 38m
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 Bull Run, 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 Bull Run, VA
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Bull Run, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 73.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 95.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn left
Navigation decision point
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 1566 / Sudley Manor Drive
At end of road, turn right onto SR 1566 / Sudley Manor Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
21.3 mi into trip|~32m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
39.5 mi into trip|~53m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
95.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
$15.22 one way
$30.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.64
$33.27
premium
$4.70
$18.01
$36.02
diesel
$5.61
$21.48
$42.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.51
$3.89
EV Truck/SUV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 13, 2026
Origin
Bull Run, VA
Late night
in Bull Run on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SW 10 to 17 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 9 to 16 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:18AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
49°F
Stafford, VA
49 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
7 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 1m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 97.3
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!
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of your drive will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via I-95, Dumfries Road, and Prince William Parkway, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 73.9 miles on I-95. The road profile is functional and direct, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. While you will spend most of your time cruising on the interstate, the initial segments on Dumfries Road and Prince William Parkway provide a brief change of pace before you merge into the heavier traffic flow. It is the type of drive where you can settle in and maintain a consistent speed for the majority of the trip.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Dumfries Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 1566 / Sudley Manor Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
386 ft130 ft
Total Climb
399 ft
Total Descent
467 ft
Highest Point
386 ft
~13.9 mi in
Elevation Range
256 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 97.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 1566 / Sudley Manor Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 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.
