If you are planning to travel from Colonial Heights to Alexandria, expect a straightforward 124-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This trip is designed as a single-day excursion, making it an efficient connection within the Southeast region of Virginia. You will primarily navigate the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-95, and the Capital Beltway. Budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance. Because of the direct highway focus, this route is best suited for those looking to reach their destination quickly rather than lingering along the way.
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
62 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
73.1 mi
1h 24m
I 95
42.1 mi
50m
Capital Beltway (Local)
2 mi
2m
Route 1
1.6 mi
2m
Woods Edge Road
0.9 mi
1m
Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
South Washington Street
0.5 mi
1m
East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi·1 min·Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 1
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
0.9 mi·1 min·Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
20 mi·25 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 177A-BToward US 1: Alexandria, Fort BelvoirUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 177BToward US 1 North: Alexandria
16
Merge onto US 1
440 ft·8 sec·Richmond Highway
17
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Patrick Street
18
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi·1 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility, but keep in mind that the route includes one recommended stop to break up the drive. Given the heavy reliance on I-95, try to avoid peak rush hours to minimize time spent in unpredictable traffic on the Capital Beltway. Fueling up before you merge onto the main highway corridors can save you time and help keep your $20 budget on track. Because you are tackling 124 miles of high-speed transit, check your tire pressure and fluid levels before departing to ensure a smooth ride. Aiming for a mid-morning or early afternoon departure is usually your best bet for a stress-free arrival.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 27 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62 miles or 1h 15m 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 1m
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 Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 124 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Colonial Heights, 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 73.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 122.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
24.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
$19.39 one way
$38.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.20
$42.40
premium
$4.70
$22.95
$45.90
diesel
$5.61
$27.38
$54.76
Estimated Tolls: $5.11
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(73.1 mi)$5.11
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
$19
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.2
0
$13.02
$5.95
Efficient EV
31
0
$10.85
$4.96
EV Truck/SUV
49.6
0
$17.36
$7.94
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Afternoon
in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Afternoon
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bowling Green, VA
62 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
9 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 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 124-mile drive is almost entirely highway-focused, with 94% of the route consisting of major interstates and turnpikes. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace as you navigate the longest uninterrupted stretch of 73.1 miles on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The experience is defined by the heavy infrastructure of I-95 and the final transition into the dense traffic patterns of the Capital Beltway. While the road is efficient, it remains a functional interstate grind rather than a leisurely backroad tour. Expect a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you transition from the Southeast Virginia landscape toward Northern Virginia.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near SR 620 / Woods Edge Road.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 124 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 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 124 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.11 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 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.
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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield. 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 Alexandria, VA before heading back.
