Claypool Hill, VA to Richmond, VA is 317.4 miles and takes about 5h 59m via I 81 and I 64, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from its southwestern area to the central part of the state. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Given the relatively short duration, you can depart later in the morning and still arrive in Richmond with time to spare.
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
158.7 miles from Claypool Hill, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
139.7 mi
2h 33m
I 64
99.6 mi
1h 49m
Governor G C Peery Highway
27.3 mi
35m
US 52
19.7 mi
22m
I 77
16 mi
17m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
9.8 mi
11m
US 52 Truck
2.3 mi
2m
West Broad Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 139.7 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,245 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,646
Quietest
2 AM
~100 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.5×
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 Claypool Hill, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on US 19; US 460
27 mi·35 min·Governor G C Peery Highway
2
Continue on US 19; US 460
9.8 mi·11 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 52 Truck
2.3 mi·2 min·US 52 Truck
4
Take the exit onto US 52
20 mi·22 min·US 52
5
Continue on I 77
16 mi·17 min·I 77
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 186Toward I 195 South: Laburnum AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 195 SouthUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 195
0.7 mi·1 min·Beltline Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·North Hamilton Street
14
Turn left onto US 33; US 250
1.5 mi·3 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Allen Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Allen Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
274 ft·7 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
17
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
For this 5h 59m drive, departing Claypool Hill after breakfast, around 9 AM, should get you to Richmond before dinner. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pause when needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when fuel is low. The estimated fuel cost is $49, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Claypool Hill, as the longest stretch without major towns is on I 81. Pay attention to the transition from I 81 to I 64; it's a key point to ensure you're on the correct path to 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 158.7 miles from Claypool Hill, VA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.7 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 70 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 53m
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 Claypool Hill, 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 Claypool Hill, VA
This is one driving day of about 317.4 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Claypool Hill, 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 139.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 75 and 315.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
75 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
7
215 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
314.3 mi into trip|~5h 52m 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
314.5 mi into trip|~5h 53m 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
7
315.4 mi into trip|~5h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street
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 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton St...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.86 one way
$93.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$51.50
$102.99
premium
$4.49
$56.13
$112.26
diesel
$4.80
$59.93
$119.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.2
1
$33.33
$15.24
Efficient EV
79.4
0
$27.77
$12.70
EV Truck/SUV
127
1
$44.44
$20.31
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 17, 2026
Origin
Claypool Hill, VA
Late night
in Claypool Hill on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 1 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Smoke
NE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Buchanan, VA
159 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
5h 59m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 142.3
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 317.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 317.4 miles on major interstates like I 81 and I 64. You'll experience a long stretch of 139.7 miles on I 81 before transitioning to I 64 towards Richmond. The majority of the drive involves cruising on these interstates, suggesting consistent speeds and fewer surface road interruptions until closer to your destination. Keep an eye out for the dense exit patterns as you approach the Richmond metropolitan area.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75 miles in near I 81; US 11.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 317.4 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 75 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 314.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Top landmarks
•Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Richmond, Virginia
•Virginia State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Virginia
•Monument Avenue — thoroughfare in Richmond, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 317.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 75 miles (I 81; US 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 314.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richmond, VA before the return drive.
