This 198.1-mile drive from Exmore, VA to Alexandria, VA takes approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Lankford Highway, Ocean Gateway, and Ocean Highway, with only a small portion on major highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route offers an economical journey. The drive feels like a local exploration rather than a high-speed transit, giving you a good sense of the Southeast region's landscape as you travel within Virginia. Plan for one stop to break up the journey.
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
99 miles from Exmore, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lankford Highway
37.3 mi
53m
Ocean Gateway
28.5 mi
39m
Ocean Highway
26.4 mi
36m
John Hanson Highway
23.9 mi
28m
Sussex Highway
19.3 mi
26m
Shore Highway
17.4 mi
24m
Salisbury Bypass
10.8 mi
12m
Anacostia Freeway
7.9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Lankford Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exmore, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on Westfield Avenue
47 ft·7 sec·Westfield Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 13 BUS
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 13 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 13
37 mi·53 min·Lankford Highway
5
Continue on US 13
26 mi·36 min·Ocean Highway
6
Continue on US 13
0.3 mi·22 sec·South Fruitland Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13
11 mi·12 min·Salisbury Bypass
8
Take the exit onto US 13
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 13
Toward US 13 North, US 13 Business: Salisbury, Dover
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 13
Toward US 13 North: Dover
10
Merge onto US 13
0.8 mi·1 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
3.1 mi·3 min·North Salisbury Boulevard
12
Continue on US 13
19 mi·26 min·Sussex Highway
13
Take the exit
166 ft·5 sec
14
Continue on Rifle Range Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rifle Range Road
15
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
16
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi·45 sec·Market Street
17
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·Seashore Highway
18
Continue on MD 404
17 mi·24 min·Shore Highway
19
Continue on MD 404
6.2 mi·8 min·Queen Anne Highway
20
Take the exit
527 ft·14 sec
21
Merge onto US 50
29 mi·39 min·Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
24 mi·28 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward MD 201 South: Kenilworth Avenue, AlexandriaUse the right lane.
24
Continue on MD 201
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on DC 295
7.9 mi·12 min·Anacostia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1CToward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, AlexandriaUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 95; I 495
1.4 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway (Local)
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 177B; 177CToward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 177CToward Mount VernonUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto Church Street
321 ft·18 sec·Church Street
31
Turn left onto VA 400
0.7 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
32
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 33-minute duration, leaving Exmore in the morning is advisable to reach Alexandria with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as this route has a lower highway share, meaning you might encounter more local businesses for refueling rather than large highway service centers. The longest stretch without significant turns is 37.3 miles on Lankford Highway, which could be a good point to plan for your single stop if needed.
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 99 miles from Exmore, VA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 44 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Exmore, 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 Exmore, VA
This is one driving day of about 198.1 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Exmore, 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 Lankford Highway for about 37.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 76 and 197.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
76 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13 toward US 13 North: Dover
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 13 North: Dover
7
184.6 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward MD 201 South: Kenilworth Avenue, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MD 201 South: Kenilworth Avenue, Alexand...
8
195 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Alexandria
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 1C
Toward I 95 South, I 495 South: Richmond, Alexa...
8
197 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount Vernon
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.
Exit 177B; 177C
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria, Mount Vernon
9
197.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177C
Toward Mount Vernon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.98 one way
$61.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.87
$67.74
premium
$4.70
$36.66
$73.33
diesel
$5.61
$43.74
$87.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.4
0
$20.80
$9.51
Efficient EV
49.5
0
$17.33
$7.92
EV Truck/SUV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Exmore, VA
Morning
in Exmore on Tuesday
Local time
11:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning
in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
11:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Seaford, DE
99 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
13 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
4h 33m 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.
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime for...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$25
near mile 41.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a highway share of only 5%. The majority of your time will be spent on roads like Lankford Highway, Ocean Gateway, and Ocean Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.3 miles on Lankford Highway, offering a brief period of steady travel before returning to more frequent turns. This road personality suggests a pace that allows you to observe your surroundings rather than a high-speed interstate experience.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Lankford 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 76 miles in near US 13.
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 20 significant decision points across 198.1 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 76 miles (US 13): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 184.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Exmore, VA to Alexandria, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Dover along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 198.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Lankford Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 76 miles (US 13): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 184.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Assateague Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
