Traveling from Cedar Bluff to Richmond covers 186.9 miles across Virginia, making for a manageable trip that typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, the route relies heavily on I-64, I-81, and US-220 to get you to your destination efficiently. It is a straightforward trip that prioritizes speed and directness over local meandering, perfect if you want to reach the capital without complex detours.
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
93.4 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
99.3 mi
1h 49m
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
I 581
6.1 mi
8m
West Broad Street
1.5 mi
3m
Beltline Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi
<1m
4th Street Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on 5th Street Southeast
75 ft·4 sec·5th Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast
423 ft·18 sec·Highland Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Street Southeast
4
Turn left onto VA 24
241 ft·15 sec·Elm Avenue Southeast
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
6
Merge onto I 581; US 220
6.1 mi·8 min·I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
13 mi·15 min·US 220
Exit 1NToward I 81 North, US 220 North: LexingtonUse the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 81
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 186Toward I 195 South: Laburnum AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi·1 min·Beltline Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·North Hamilton Street
15
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi·3 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Allen Avenue
17
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft·7 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
18
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns. Since the itinerary includes only one recommended stop, try to time your break to coincide with the transition between highway segments to keep your momentum high. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when you hit the longer interstate sections, as service intervals can vary. Because this drive is relatively short, you don't need to stress about rigorous pacing; simply head out when you are ready. Use the 99.3-mile I-64 stretch as your main benchmark for checking your progress toward Richmond.
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 93.4 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.4 miles or 1h 44m 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 50m
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 Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, VA
This is one driving day of about 186.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Cedar Bluff, 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 64 for about 99.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 183.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Sa...
9
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
7
84.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
183.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 186
Toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue
8
183.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 195 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.23 one way
$58.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.96
$63.91
premium
$4.70
$34.59
$69.18
diesel
$5.61
$41.27
$82.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.1
0
$19.62
$8.97
Efficient EV
46.7
0
$16.35
$7.48
EV Truck/SUV
74.8
0
$26.17
$11.96
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 12, 2026
Origin
Cedar Bluff, VA
Morning
in Cedar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
9:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Morning
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
9:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
21 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
3h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 98% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will spend much of your time on major interstates, including a significant 99.3-mile stretch on I-64 that allows you to maintain a steady pace. The road has a functional, efficient personality rather than a technical or winding one, keeping your focus on the road ahead. As you transition between these major arteries, the character remains consistent and predictable. It is an ideal route for drivers who prefer the reliability of well-maintained highways over the stop-and-go nature of secondary roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 186.9 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,811 ft224 ft
Total Climb
918 ft
Total Descent
1,662 ft
Highest Point
1,811 ft
~70.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,588 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 186.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 64. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
