This 274.6-mile drive from Chatmoss to Alexandria, Virginia, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 46 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I-95, with a portion on Kings Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this Southeast Virginia to Southeast Virginia journey offers a mixed driving experience. The route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward trip that gets you where you need to go efficiently.
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
137.3 miles from Chatmoss, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
51.8 mi
57m
I 95
42.1 mi
50m
Kings Highway
39.7 mi
47m
US 58
29.1 mi
36m
West Patrick Henry Highway
24.6 mi
31m
Philpott Road
19.7 mi
25m
James D Hagood Highway
14.5 mi
18m
Hull Street Road
14.2 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 51.8 mi, about 57m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,283 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,892
Quietest
2 AM
~449 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatmoss, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on SR 777
250 ft·8 sec·Mount Olivet Road
2
Turn right onto SR 620
0.7 mi·1 min·Old Liberty Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 650
0.7 mi·1 min·Irisburg Road
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 58 East
5
Merge onto US 58
2.9 mi·3 min·William F Stone Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 58
15 mi·19 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East: DanvilleUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 58
14 mi·17 min·US 58
Toward US 58 East
8
Take the exit onto US 58
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 58
Toward US 58 East, US 360 East: South Boston
9
Merge onto US 58; US 360
2.9 mi·5 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
11
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
12
Continue on US 58; US 360
0.7 mi·1 min·Bill Tuck Highway
13
Turn left onto US 360
1.7 mi·2 min·John Randolph Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 360
15 mi·18 min·James D Hagood Highway
15
Continue on US 360
40 mi·47 min·Kings Highway
16
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
25 mi·31 min·West Patrick Henry Highway
18
Continue on US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
20
Merge onto VA 288
2.1 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto VA 76
8.5 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 76
0.9 mi·1 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
26
Merge onto I 195
2.2 mi·3 min·Beltline Expressway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft·12 sec
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, NorfolkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 95
52 mi·57 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
32
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi·7 min·I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: BaltimoreUse the slight left / straight lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
37
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
38
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
39
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 46-minute duration, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. The route includes one recommended stop, which is a good point to stretch your legs and refuel. With a total distance of 274.6 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 51.8-mile stretch on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The $43 fuel estimate should help you budget accordingly for this straightforward trip.
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 137.3 miles from Chatmoss, VA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
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 Chatmoss, 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 Chatmoss, VA
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Chatmoss, 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 Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 51.8 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.2 and 272.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, Richm...
8
175.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95, I 64 East: Washington, Norfolk
8
265.4 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
270.9 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
272.9 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.54 one way
$81.08 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$44.55
$89.10
premium
$4.49
$48.56
$97.13
diesel
$4.80
$51.85
$103.70
Estimated Tolls: $3.63
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(51.8 mi)$3.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.83
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.03
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.44
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Chatmoss, VA
Afternoon
in Chatmoss on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 2 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Smoke
S 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Blackstone, VA
137 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
2 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
5h 46m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 161
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 104.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's about 50% highway, offering a blend of faster-paced travel and more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.8 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. This profile suggests a mixed drive, meaning you'll experience both the efficiency of major interstates and the potentially slower, more varied conditions of secondary roads like Kings Highway. The road character will likely shift throughout the journey, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.8 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.2 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 32 significant decision points across 274.6 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 161.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
752 ft37 ft
Total Climb
489 ft
Total Descent
1,107 ft
Highest Point
752 ft
~19.6 mi in
Elevation Range
715 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chatmoss, VA and Alexandria, VA, road signs point toward Richmond and Norfolk.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.8 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.63 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas 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 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 161.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alexandria, VA before the return drive.
