If you are looking to travel from Danville to Richmond, you are in for a 143.2-mile journey through the Southeast that takes approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because this trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay, leaving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Expect to budget roughly $23 for fuel to cover the distance. The path primarily utilizes local roads like Kings Highway, West Patrick Henry Highway, and Philpott Road rather than major interstates. It is an ideal choice if you prefer a more hands-on, turn-heavy driving experience over a standard highway cruise.
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
71.6 miles from Danville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kings Highway
39.7 mi
47m
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
Powhite Parkway
10.3 mi
13m
South Boston Highway
5.3 mi
7m
South Boston Road
4.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Kings Highway
— 39.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on VA 293
415 ft·15 sec·South Ridge Street
2
Turn left onto VA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·Patton Street
3
Turn right onto US 360; US 58 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·River Street
4
Continue on US 360; US 58 BUS
4.2 mi·7 min·South Boston Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 58; US 360
5.3 mi·7 min·South Boston Highway
6
Continue on US 58; US 360
20 mi·25 min·Philpott Road
7
Continue on US 58; US 360
0.7 mi·1 min·Bill Tuck Highway
8
Turn left onto US 360
1.7 mi·2 min·John Randolph Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 360
15 mi·18 min·James D Hagood Highway
10
Continue on US 360
40 mi·47 min·Kings Highway
11
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 360
25 mi·31 min·West Patrick Henry Highway
13
Continue on US 360
14 mi·20 min·Hull Street Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 288 North: Powhite Parkway
15
Merge onto VA 288
2.1 mi·2 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VA 76 Toll North: Powhite Parkway, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto VA 76
8.5 mi·10 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76
1.8 mi·2 min·Powhite Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 146
0.4 mi·36 sec·VA 146
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Maplewood AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
230 ft·5 sec
Toward Maplewood Avenue
23
Turn straight onto Maplewood Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Maplewood Avenue
24
At end of road, turn left onto South Sheppard Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Sheppard Street
25
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Idlewood Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto South Robinson Street
305 ft·11 sec·South Robinson Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Grayland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Grayland Avenue
28
Turn left onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
30
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
31
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward one-day excursion, you have the advantage of setting your own pace without the pressure of a rigid itinerary. Plan for at least one stop to break up the three-hour duration and keep your focus sharp on the winding local roads. Keep in mind that with such a low highway percentage, travel times can be sensitive to local traffic patterns, so check your navigation before heading out. Given the $23 fuel estimate, filling up your tank in Danville before you depart is a smart way to ensure you have enough range for the entire trip. Take advantage of the single planned stop to stretch your legs, as the technical nature of the drive makes frequent movement essential for comfort.
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 71.6 miles from Danville, VA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.7 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 32 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.6 miles or 1h 34m 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 32m
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 Danville, 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 Danville, VA
This is one driving day of about 143.2 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Danville, 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 Kings Highway for about 39.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.1 and 141.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
31.1 mi into trip|~44m in|US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard
Turn left onto US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
129.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward VA 76: Lucks Lane, Old Hundred Road
8
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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...
6
138.9 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 76 / Powhite Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
141.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|Idlewood Avenue
Turn right onto Idlewood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.39 one way
$44.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$24.48
$48.97
premium
$4.70
$26.50
$53.01
diesel
$5.61
$31.62
$63.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43
0
$15.04
$6.87
Efficient EV
35.8
0
$12.53
$5.73
EV Truck/SUV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Danville, VA
Late night
in Danville on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
2:01 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate slog, as this route consists of only 8% highway driving. The road features a turn-heavy, local profile that requires your full attention behind the wheel. You will navigate various segments, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on Kings Highway for 39.7 miles. Because the route relies so heavily on local roads, the drive feels intimate and technical rather than fast-paced. Be prepared for constant adjustments and a steady rhythm as you transition between the various secondary roads that connect these two Virginia cities.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.7 mi on Kings Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in near US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 143.2 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 31.1 miles (US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793 , Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 143.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.7 miles on Kings Highway. 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 31.1 miles (US 360 / John Randolph Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
